Improving the lives of families by providing support through education, communication and advocacy.
Who we are
Mama Says is a forum for expression, education, and dialogue; a collective of the voices of our community. Mama Says began as a newsletter in Montpelier, Vermont in 2003. We now publish a Zine, are activists for early childhood education and advocate for a clean and healthy environment. As mamas ourselves, we also advocate for freedom in birthing choices, breastfeeding in the workplace, mother-owned businesses and the creation of a more positive childcare experience for families.
Mama Says was created to trace the personal evolution of ourselves as parents. Now Mama Says, Inc is a community network organized around improving the lives of families through support, education, advocacy and communication.
The Mama Says community is made up of parents through the Central Vermont region. We are a diverse group of people who share the common experience of raising children in this place at this time. We are mothers and fathers, step-parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, grandmothers and grandfathers, married, single, separated, divorced, widowed. As caretakers of children of all ages, we work out of the home, work from home, stay at home with our children, work full-time, work part-time. We rely on the larger community of extended families, childcare providers, schools and teachers, healthcare professionals, and especially each other in this great task of bringing up children.
We also share the value of trying to raise our children thoughtfully in what sometimes feels like an increasingly busy and overwhelming world. What does it mean to “raise children thoughtfully”? The answer to that is a very individual one. Join us online through the yahoo group or zine, or join us in person at a Mama Rama Full Moon Tea Party or other events, or read about the variety of parenting experiences out there in the Mama Says Zine. See who we are and introduce yourself!
Mama Says was created to trace the personal evolution of ourselves as parents. Now Mama Says, Inc is a community network organized around improving the lives of families through support, education, advocacy and communication.
The Mama Says community is made up of parents through the Central Vermont region. We are a diverse group of people who share the common experience of raising children in this place at this time. We are mothers and fathers, step-parents, adoptive parents, foster parents, grandmothers and grandfathers, married, single, separated, divorced, widowed. As caretakers of children of all ages, we work out of the home, work from home, stay at home with our children, work full-time, work part-time. We rely on the larger community of extended families, childcare providers, schools and teachers, healthcare professionals, and especially each other in this great task of bringing up children.
We also share the value of trying to raise our children thoughtfully in what sometimes feels like an increasingly busy and overwhelming world. What does it mean to “raise children thoughtfully”? The answer to that is a very individual one. Join us online through the yahoo group or zine, or join us in person at a Mama Rama Full Moon Tea Party or other events, or read about the variety of parenting experiences out there in the Mama Says Zine. See who we are and introduce yourself!
Our goals:
- Create and sustain a family friendly society in Vermont and nationwide
- Work with individuals, community groups, businesses, organizations and policy makers on issues affecting families
- Empower women and families to make informed decisions
Our objectives:
- Mobilize grassroots action
- Impact public policy
- Forward economic and social justice initiatives
- Act as a resource for information and education
- Provide a venue for the voice of the mother regarding the physical, cultural and emotional issues of mothering
Creating the Mama Says website
Chauntelle at the computer
Creating the website was a group effort. Many of our board members collaborated to contribute their own unique talents, from writing and design to watching the kids while we worked. In the spirit of Mama Says, we made it happen together!
...required the whole team!
Our happy little Quinn
Mama Says Board of Directors 2010
Chauntelle, Amy, Sarah, Ame, Flower, Sarah, Debbie, Kelly and Susan during our annual meeting and potluck at Susan's house.