Throughout history, women—and moms specifically—have been ridiculed in their fights against injustice. The attacks are purposeful, meant to make women feel like they hold no real power or roles in society beyond motherhood and household responsibilities. Catchy labels like “wine moms,” “childless cat ladies,” and “trad wives” are intended to diminish and silence women.
Recognizing this pattern and decoding these titles for what they are—an effort to distract women from organic organization and community—was the focus of a recent panel discussion, “Motherhood Live: The ‘Wine Mom’ Label and Other Cons to Silence Moms,” hosted by Moms First CEO and Founder Reshma Saujani. Panelists included Moms’ and EcoMadres’ Isabel González Whitaker, alongside Gloria Steinem, Minnesota State Senator Erin Maye Quade, Rev. Jennifer Ikoma-Motzko (Park Avenue United Methodist Church), Minister JaNae Bates Imari (ISAIAH, a Minnesota racial justice coalition), actor and comedian Ilana Glazer, author and advocate Anna Malaika Tubbs, Emily Oster (ParentData), Katie Bethell (Move On), Shannon Watts (Moms Demand Action), and Jackie Ross (Red Wine & Blue).
The powerful conversation was wide-ranging and addressed the current violence at the hands of ICE, the intersection of climate change and social injustice, and how through it all, women and especially moms have been on the frontlines.
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Discussing historical mockery and abuse women have faced in the media, Ilana Glazer noted that power is taken from women only when they are actively taking up space the world tells them not to occupy. “They’re trying to embarrass us out of our passion, out of our values, out of our lived experience. We’ve all survived many different levels of horrors, and we’re connected through it,” she said, adding that taking breaks and creating space for joy and pleasure are critical to upholding strength and humanity. In her experience, this allows women to put their strongest selves forward in the collective fight for justice.
When the conversation shifted to the relationship between climate change and social injustices, Isabel González Whitaker offered insight on how the attacks on Latino communities are inextricably tied to climate change. “Climate justice and social injustice are completely interlinked. Specific to what we are seeing right now is this idea that global migration is some sort of anomaly when it’s been around since time immemorial, and it’s only going to get worse. Climate change is one of the root causes.”
Isabel noted that in 2020 alone, 10 million children globally were displaced by extreme weather events related to climate change. She also explained that in the next 30 years, a projected 93 million children will need to migrate as sea levels rise and flooding increases, a direct impact of global warming and the climate crisis.
The panel felt like a large communal gathering and a signal that moms across the country won’t just fall in line when hurtful language meant to ridicule and distract them is thrown about. The evening was a loud reminder that no matter the issue at hand, building community is an essential form of action—something women are notoriously good at. In fact, women across the nation continue to lead advocacy efforts around social equity, work that is grounded in ensuring the health of children and the planet.
As Reshma put it, “No one is going to save moms, but moms can save the nation.”
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