2004 Mothers Day Campaign:
Mothers - The Real Story

Individual Letter to the Editor

Date

To the Editor:

[If applicable, reference a recent article in the newspaper by the title and date it appeared.]

Moms, how about a nice gift of some perfume for Mother’s Day? Perhaps some Enjolie? Remember? "I can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and never let you forget you’re a man." Or maybe you prefer Calvin Klein, you know, that’s the one whose TV ads feature impossibly young, thin moms; with kids in impossibly white clothes?

Stereotypes of mothers abound in all media; the Supermom, the Glam Mom, the Domestic Goddess Mom. Taken together, the media holds up an idealized version of mothers that no real person can hope to reach.

One might say, "So what?" We can laugh them off, but we also internalize the messages. Good or bad, intentional or not, the media shapes public opinion, and our opinions of our lives and ourselves - without us even noticing the extent of the influence.

As mothers, this influence means we hesitate to talk with each other about our real experiences as mothers because each of us worries that we don’t measure up to the version of mom everyone seems to expect. Our silence with each other keeps us from ever coming together as mothers.

These stereotypes, combined with our silence, keep us focused on our own perceived personal shortcomings, which means we ourselves are often blind to - and allow society to ignore - shortcomings in the world around us. Shortcomings that make it nearly impossible for mothers - or anyone who cares for others - to meet their own needs and the needs of their families - financially, emotionally and physically.

This Mother’s Day, break the silence, blast the stereotypes. Join the conversation locally and nationally. Mothers & More, a national organization dedicated to improving the lives of mothers, is sponsoring a nationwide public awareness campaign during the month of May. Visit www.mothersandmore.org to find out how to get involved in the Mothers & More 2004 Mother’s Day Campaign: Mothers - The Real Story.

Sincerely,

[Name]

[City]