If you missed Nicholas Kristof’s Op-Ed column in the Times yesterday, I encourage you to go read it even before finishing this post. (But then come back.) He wrote of a few heroic women in Africa who founded and run reliable and safe maternity hospitals in areas where women commonly die in childbirth (yes, commonly). They wouldn’t have been able to establish and run these hospitals without the financial donations they received from Americans. (It’s amazing what a difference even $50 can make where poverty is pervasive.)
Picking up on Kristof’s idea to give Mother’s Day gifts that have a positive impact on the state of motherhood–and sometimes even save lives–I want to encourage everyone to take a few minutes to consider how you can help a good cause that helps moms in need, even if it means just spreading the word about it.
If you need some inspiration–in addition to all of Kristof’s wonderful suggestions–here’s a few others, mostly local:
• Former model Christy Turlington has made a documentary called, “No Woman, No Cry,” about the high mortality rate around the world of poor women in childbirth called. It debuts on the Oprah Winfrey Network on Saturday. If you want more info about the movie, the issue and how you can help, visit Every Mother Counts, which Turlington also established.
• The Women’s Health Free Clinic, which offers comprehensive health services for women who don’t have insurance, is a joint effort between New York University School of Medicine, the Reproductive Health Access Project, and the Institute for Family Health.
• Planned Parenthood of New York City, which provides thousands of women, teens, and families with essential reproductive health care, and innovative educational programs.
* The Joyful Heart Foundation, which actress Mariska Hargitay founded to help provide care and support for women (often moms) and children who are victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse.
• Women In Need, which does so much to help New York City homeless woman and children, from providing safe and clean shelter to helping them learn the skills to find a job and be self-reliant.
• Baby Buggy, which provides essential clothing, gear, and services to families in need.
Happy Mother’s Day
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