by the Public Interest Registry Marketing Team
“Motherhood: It all begins and ends there,” wrote Robert Browning. Indeed, mothering is the mother of all jobs. At a time when the selflessness, courage, and compassion of moms has perhaps never been more tested, Mother’s Day is the perfect moment to show the mom in your life how much you care. This year, however, a fancy brunch at a restaurant isn’t going to happen in most places. So, perhaps a handmade card (she prefers those anyway), a homemade feast, and a gift that gives back will make mom’s day.
Here are seven .ORGs helping mothers and their kids around the world—giving you a full week’s worth of worthy causes to support throughout Mother’s Day Week. (Is that a thing? We think it should be!) Plus, the last one also pampers mom with presents, while helping vulnerable women and children. What could make mom happier?
Monday
MomsRising.ORG is a grassroots coalition working to bring economic and social justice issues to the forefront. The organization is particularly focused on ensuring strong representation for women of color, single mothers, and those across the socioeconomic spectrum. They advocate for strong early childhood education, family and sick leave, and access to quality, affordable healthcare.
Tuesday
EveryMotherCounts.ORG works to ensure that all women, regardless of background or country of origin, have the opportunity to enter motherhood healthfully. Hundreds of thousands of women die each year due to a lack of access to early, quality maternity care. Whether it is helping train more midwives in Guatemala, increase mobile clinics in Haiti, or provide top quality medical tools and devices in rural Tanzania, the organization prioritizes healthcare as a global human right and one that every mother deserves.
Wednesday
M2M.ORG (Mothers to Mothers) knows how the collective power of moms can help combat HIV. They employ women living with HIV as community health workers called Mentor Mothers. The Mentor Mothers work at health facilities and go door-to-door to improve the well-being of communities across nine African nations. The M2M model, much like “mom,” is the ultimate multi-tasker, improving the health of communities, while delivering meaningful employment for women living with HIV.
Thursday
For many single moms, getting a college education can be exponentially daunting and demanding. That is where HelpingHandsforSingleMoms.ORG comes in. They assist single moms, and their families, as they pursue of a college degree. With scholarship money, funds to help with transportation, books, and even cleaning services for the home, Helping Hands for Single Moms is there for women at a crucial moment in their lives.
Friday
Motherhood is a sisterhood. MochaMoms.ORG brings together mothers of color and helps them support one another in a variety of innovative ways. Meet-ups provide members with a valuable and growing network of friends, mentor and confidants. Chapters also sponsor speakers and forums on economic empowerment, criminal justice reform and healthcare policy. While much of their in-person events are likely on hold for now, moms can still gain valuable support by connecting online, for example through their blog.
Saturday
There is strength in numbers, and back in 1973, MOPS.ORG (Mothers of Preschoolers) was formed with the simple but revolutionary idea that moms need community. Partnering with places of worship and organizations worldwide to equip and encourage moms in more than 60 countries, MOPs offers childcare groups, playgroups, counseling, activity guides, and more. Members also train to be facilitators, using their newfound knowledge to support for future moms with guidance, advice and fellowship.
Sunday
On the seventh day, Mother’s Day, hopefully mom gets to rest! Why not pick out a beautiful handmade scarf, handbag, or pair of earrings for her, while also providing sustainable jobs for women—widely proven to be the key to community development and family wellbeing. In partnership with women-led, community-based organizations, GlobalGoodsPartners,ORG taps into the rich well of skill and artistry that is passed from one generation of women to the next.
Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there. We hope you enjoy your day!