lifeonq.com

Standing with Women on Mother’s Day

As we prepare to celebrate the mothers in our lives on Mother’s Day, a group called Standing Women is encouraging women–and men– to also recognize the most important mother of all: Mother Earth. On Sunday, May 11 at 1 p.m., thousands of people around the globe will stand together in silence for five minutes in local parks, schools, churches and other gathering places to promote a better world for future generations. The result will be a 24-hour global wave of humanity standing to motivate and invigorate others to realize the dream of a better world for all.

In May of 2007, thousands of women stood together in 75 countries and on all the continents of the globe to show their support for the world of which they dream. Inspired by a story written by Sharon Mehdi of Ashland, Oregon, The Great Silent Grandmother Gathering, collectively they decided that it was time to take a stand to make a difference. By standing for a moment of silence, participants will recognize the importance for all of the children of the world of issues such as safe drinking water, clean air, food for all to eat, access to basic education, adequate health care and safety from violence.

Standing sites in all 50 U.S. states and around the globe are listed on the Standing Women Website and range from large-scale groups of a thousand or more to individual standings. Participants have the option of attending one of the gatherings listed or starting their own. There are promotional materials and a video about the effort on the Standing Women Website.

As of Sunday, April 27, the Standing Women Website lists 217 events listed in 9 nations, including 65 organizations. In Georgia, five public and private “standings are listed, including at the gazebo in Downtown Central Park In Canton, Ga., and around the pond in Shorty Howell Park in Duluth, Ga. More information on the event can be found at www.standingwomen.org.