Girl Power

We started mutterhood as a way to celebrate women, both past and present, through stories and photos that represent the ways women of all ages make the world a better place. Our goal has always been to raise women up and let them shine.

Recently, we’ve been struggling with how to address current events in this crazy and unsettling world of ours. So, we’ll start with a story. 

I organized my first protest march in middle school.  

A “get off my lawn” neighbor spent one summer confiscating our Wiffle balls and raising a ruckus when we ventured near her property. By mid-summer I’d had enough. So I gathered our group, passed out signs that displayed our motto – Unfair to Kids – and we spent the better part of a morning marching in front of her house, chanting our displeasure at what we saw as unneighborly behavior. She responded by calling the police. 

While she ranted to the officer, he explained “It doesn’t matter how old they are, they have every right to peacefully protest.” He listened to both sides, then brokered a deal that called for an end to the protest in exchange for the return of the confiscated Wiffle balls. He also extracted a promise from everyone for a gentler attitude in the future. We all kept our end of the bargain. 

The lesson learned was obvious: when we gather together and use our voices we can make a difference, no matter how big or small. A Democracy as large as ours, one that affords us the right to speak out, to peacefully protest, to advocate for change, is an amazing thing. I grew up believing in it. It’s how our country was founded. Thanks to the Suffragettes, who 100 years ago marched for women’s right to vote, we have a say in how things work.

It’s also a time to listen. To voices other than ours. To hear how the world may work differently for them. To learn the tales of histories not familiar to us. To help others find their rightful place. To seek justice where it’s warranted and to support those who have been wronged. To help form a more perfect union. 

It’s what women in particular excel at.

The photo above came from the first Women’s March in 2017, where a young protester used her crafting skills to advocate for Girl Power. We couldn’t agree more.