She’s Doing It: In New Book, PunditMom Examines Mothers in Politics and Activism

by Gloria Feldt on August 3rd, 2011
in 9 Ways Blog, Employ Every Medium, Gender, Inspiration, Leadership, No Excuses, Politics, She's Doing It and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Joanne BambergerThis week’s She’s Doing It features popular blogger ‘PunditMom’ Joanne Bamberger.  She is not only illuminating women’s clout and influence both online and in the political realm but uses her voice to get out the message of the importance of political motherhood and mothers in politics.  In addition to writing her own political blog, PunditMom, she is a regular contributor at Politics Daily and The Huffington Post, as well as MOMocrats and MomsRising.  Joanne was also a contributing editor for News & Politics at BlogHer and is the co-founder of The DC Moms blog.  Launching soon will be “The Broad Side” which will feature the best of women’s commentary from around the web on politics, issues and culture.  Joanne is an amazing example of No Excuses Power Tool #8, “Employ Every Medium”.

In her recently released book PunditMom’s Mothers of Intention, not only does Joanne Bamberger study the rise of the motherhood political movement but also how online and social media tools have enabled women to become a larger and more powerful presence in the world of politics and activism.

In the introduction of Mother’s of Intention, she describes her personal journey and how the “M” word (Motherhood) caused her to be considered ‘politically irrelevant’:

“For twenty-plus years as a working professional, I always had an answer to the opening party question, “What do you do?” People seemed interested—at least after a glass of wine or an apple martini—in what I, as a journalist, lawyer, or deputy director of a federal agency public affairs office, had to say. How in the world could that change overnight just because I became a mother?”

Bamberger describes Mothers of Intention as women, diverse in geography, ethnicity, age and political persuasion, who pursue a world of more political discourse through their powerful, thoughtful and humorous voices about what it’s like to be a mother in today’s political world.

”Networking sites and blogs are the tools that allow like-minded mothers to find each other, organize, campaign, and participate more easily than ever before. Social media has become an accepted and respected entrée for getting a seat at the political table, and increasing numbers of women are pulling up their chairs to have political conversations with the big boys. And there’s no going back.”

Mothers of Intention book coverAlong with an analysis of the political mom movement, Mothers of Intention presents a collection of essays by passionate women who are quickly becoming significant political influencers, including a preface by Pulitzer Prize winning columnist Connie Schultz, and essays by Mom 101’s Liz Gumbinner, Veronica Arreola of Viva la Feminista, Jaelithe Judy of MOMocrats and MomsRising’s Lisa Frack.

It’s a fascinating look at an often overlooked segment of the political world. Reading Mothers of Intention reminded me of U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) who took the epithet “you’re just a mom in tennis shoes,” hurled at her by a state senator who voted against funding her child’s kindergarten, and made it her campaign slogan. She defeated him first and then went on to run successfully for federal office.

When we were kids we all knew our moms could do anything. Mothers of Intention reminds readers how true that still is today in the political realm.

“Who better than Joanne Bamberger to pen this provocative look at the rising power and clout of what is fast becoming a formal political force in this country… essential reading for anybody who values a glimpse of the future – and the key matriarchal forces that will be shaping it” – Claire Shipman, Senior National Correspondent for Good Morning America

Does the “M” word have your tongue in political discussions?  Where & when do you share your political voice? From which blogs do you get your political fix?

Gloria Feldt

Gloria Feldt is the author of No Excuses: 9 Ways Women Can Change How We Think About Power. Buy the book here. Engage Gloria for a Speech or Workshop. Tweet @GloriaFeldt and connect on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Google+ Gloria is the co-founder (with Amy Litzenberger) of Take the Lead, a new initiative to prepare and propel women to leadership parity by 2025. Find them @takeleadwomen and on Facebook.

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