Giving Birth to Your Activist Self: Finding Your Voice as a Mother Activist
Workshop Handout for
Giving Birth to Your Activist Self:
Finding Your Voice as a Mother Activist
International Conference on Motherhood Activism, Advocacy, Agency
May 13-15, 2011 - Toronto, Ontario
Presented by
Sharon Aschaiek and Ann Douglas
- Awaken. Hear your activist voice.
- Respond. Know what to do with that call to action.
- Collaborate. Form meaningful connections with other activists (online and in real life) to reduce isolation and maximize your effectiveness.
- Communicate. Connect with the public and generate media interest in your cause.
- Lead. Achieve consensus and inspire your fellow activists to action.
- Succeed. Learn from successful activists. Discover what takes some movements over the top?
- Sustain. Avoid activist burnout, which zaps your energy and enthusiasm. Fuel the fire within. Self care, professional development, and sabbaticals are ways to nurture your activist self.
Books
Ansell, Jeff. When the Headline is You: An Insider’s Guide to Handling the Media. Jossey-Bass, 2010.
May, Elizabeth. How to Save the World in Your Spare Time. Key Porter Books, 2007.
Moyer, Bill et al. Doing Democracy. The MAP Model for Organizing Social Movements. New Society Publishers, 2001.
Sussman, Amanda. The Art of the Possible: A Handbook for Political Activism. McCelland and Stewart, 2009.
Websites
Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR)’s Media Activist Kit
The Citizen’s Handbook: Practical Assistance for Those Who Want to Make a Difference
Campus Activism.org: Movement Action Plan by Bill Moyer
Campus Activism.org: Event Planning Worksheet
Campus Activism.org: Four Core Elements of Strategy
Campus Activism.org: Organizing: Lessons Learned
Useful Social Media Tools and Platforms
Appbistro: Directory of apps for Facebook Pages.
Bit.ly: URL shortening service (useful for Twitter).
Facebook: Social media platform
Flickr: Photo-sharing community.
Klout: A measure of social media influence.
LinkedIn: Showcase your resume and connect with others.
ManageFlitter: Manage your Twitter followers/following.
Oneforty: A directory of business-oriented apps for Twitter.
Posterous: An easy way to publish to multiple channels.
Storify: Combine content, including chat tweets.
Twitter: Social media platform.
YouTube: Video-sharing.
Sharon Ashchaiek
Sharon Aschaiek is a mother to a five-year-old boy with autism, a professional writer and an autism services activist. Sharon leads Autism Resolution Ontario, a grassroots, non-partisan, parent-run advocacy group protesting against Ontario’s severe autism services gaps, and working to achieve appropriate treatment and social justice for kids with autism.
Ann Douglas
Ann Douglas is active in the democracy movement and the women's movement, She volunteers with Citizens Advocating Political Participation and serves on the Board of Directors of YWCA Peterborough Victoria Haliburton. She is an author and mother of four. www.anndouglas.ca and www.onewomanoneblog.com