Each Friday, the another jennifer blog shares stories of those who incorporate philanthropy into their everyday lives – personally and professionally – in a creative and unique way. If you have a story you’d like to share, please contact Jennifer. You can view past posts from the series here.
Jennifer James
Jennifer James started blogging back in 2004 at a time when most people had never even heard the term “blog”.
She founded the oldest and the largest social network dedicated to mom bloggers in the world, Mom Bloggers Club, in 2007.
Clearly ahead of her time in terms of using the power of social media and creating online communities, Jennifer James has had the unique perspective of seeing how mom bloggers, in particular, have grown throughout the years. From sharing stories about theirs kids to working with the largest brands in the world, mom bloggers have come a long way.
It was around Christmas of 2011 that Jennifer had the idea of harnessing the power of mom bloggers to create a community for social good. She already had a community of bloggers and wondered if they would be open to writing and using their social media influence for good.
The idea was sparked from a trip to Kenya with ONE.org and ten other mom bloggers in July of 2011. Jennifer describes the trip as life changing. It was her first time out of the United States. The purpose of the trip was to see programs funded by US government that included health care clinics who worked with mothers, smaller hospitals that helped children, CDC programs and some cultural programs.
Jennifer James in Ethiopia meeting with frontline health workers.
In January of 2012, Mom Bloggers for Social Good was created. This new platform, which partners with nonprofits and NGOs around the world, gave bloggers options for spreading the word about social good initiatives.
Jennifer makes it easy by sending out information via the blog that is simple to tweet or share on Facebook. This infographic illustrates how it all works.
Turns out, Jennifer’s community of mom bloggers were more than ready to embrace social good. She started getting emails from people who wanted to do more. They wanted to understand and tackle the issues and get more involved with the partners and initiatives. That’s when the Global Team of 200 was created.
The Global Team of 200, of which I am a member, is a highly specialized group of members of Mom Bloggers for Social Good that concentrates on issues involving women and girls, children, world hunger and maternal health. Members commit to writing at least two posts per month for the teams and its partners.
The motto of the Global Team of 200: Individually we are all powerful. Together we can change the world. We believe in the power of collective action to help others and believe in ourselves to make this world a better place for our children and the world’s children.
Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the Global Team of 200 is an all volunteer effort, and its voices are being heard all around the world. According to Jennifer, from the beginning of last year to this year, members’ social media shares and blog posts have reached 50 million people worldwide.
And nonprofits and NGOs are excited about working with social good moms and the global team. They see a group of highly intelligent women who care and have the influence to make a big impact. In fact, Jennifer has so many inquiries from potential partners, she has had to turn some down. She is also working with several NGOs to coordinate insight trips for bloggers in order to replicate the experience she had with ONE.org. She and Nicole Melancon of ThirdEyeMom recently visited India.
If you would like to get involved with this global coalition of mothers who care, join the Mom Bloggers for Social Good. It’s as easy as filling out a simple contact form. There may also be an opportunity for active members to apply for the Global Team of 200 throughout the year as well.
Take it from me, if you want to make a difference in the world, it’s worth your time to join this community.
Do you use your blog for social good?
How in the world have I not heard of Mom Bloggers for Social Good? More importantly, why am I not a member?!! I’m clicking that link RIGHT THIS MINUTE!! Fantastic.
I always learn so much from your Philanthropy Fridays…and I want in on this one!! Thanks, Jennifer!! –Lisa
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Awesome, Lisa! I’m guessing you may have been blinded by the Arie video. It happens. I understand.
anotherjennifer recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: Festival Season, Maine
I love Jennifer’s work and am so honored to be a small part of it. I love your Friday’s. Thanks for all you both do.
I feel the same way, Lisa. Jennifer has motivated me to push the envelope more with my social good work!
And thanks for the compliment. Happy to hear you enjoy my Friday posts. 🙂
anotherjennifer recently posted..The Power of Dance
You know I love the Social Good Moms! I have tweeted stuff before, but I need to start doing more posts! I would love to eventually be on the Team of 200! You are amazing Jennifers!! Both of you!
Alexa recently posted..Friday Fiction Friends – Part 10
Ha! Thanks, Alexa. See why I call my website another Jennifer? It sounds like there will be an opportunity to apply for the Global Team at some point this year. I think you’d be a great addition!
anotherjennifer recently posted..The Power of Dance
This is terrific! I would love to get involved!
Jessica Smock recently posted..Why Buying More Stuff Isn’t Going To Help You Be a Perfect Parent
Awesome, Jessica. I hope you join!
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I love this! Moms Bloggers Club was the first place I went when I started blogging and I love that it created a group for promoting the social good. You are amazing and I am not surprised that you are involved with this incredible group <3
Alysia recently posted..No One Said It Would Be Easy
Aw, thanks, Alysia! Will I get to hang out with you at BlogHer again this year?
I am so honored to be featured by you. Thank you so very much, Jennifer.
Jennifer James recently posted..Meeting Frontline Health Workers in Delhi
My pleasure, Jennifer! I was happy to finally pin you down for an interview. 🙂
This is a wonderful post on Jennifer and the background of Global Team of 200! Thanks for writing it!
Elizabeth Atalay recently posted..The 5 Most Important Summer Safety Tips For Kids
Thanks, Elizabeth. It was fun to hear the story behind it.
I’m so looking forward to hearing about and following your upcoming insight trip. Such exciting work!
Jen you continually inspire me through the work you do. Your work helps people who need the help and it also inspires others to get involved. I love seeing people harness the power of social media for good and inspires me to do the same.
That’s exactly why I started writing this series and doing more with communities like Mom Bloggers for Social Good. We really can make an impact as bloggers, and we are!
Amazing – to harness such power for good. I’m going to click on the link. Great to hear about this!
Tamara recently posted..It’s a Flood or It’s a Drought.
Excellent. I hope you join us, Tamara!
Love groups like this and wish the entire world was as supportive and caring as the blogging world!
Raquel @ Organized Island recently posted..Mom’s Words of Wisdom #momswisdom #ad
I know, right? This blogging thing is pretty cool!
Just another example of awesome moms doing awesome things!! This is just great – gonna definitely check it out!! Thanks for sharing Jennifer! 🙂
Krystal recently posted..We’ve All Got Stripes
My pleasure, Krystal. I think you will enjoy it. Being a Social Good Mom is super easy and you stay informed!
I am SO glad you shared the story behind Mom Bloggers for Social Good and the backround and info about it all… NOW I understand it all!!! Totally signing up!!! Who wouldn’t want to be a part of something as awesome as this??!!!
Chris Carter recently posted..Collective Blog Hop!
Yay! I was pretty excited to get the full story from Jennifer as well. So glad you are signing up too!
This is truly inspirational – I will definitely check it out! I really enjoy your Philanthropy Fridays – I always learn something! Thank you Jennifer, and Jennifer!!
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So glad to hear, Michelle! I always learn something too. 🙂
When I first started reading, I thought it was YOU, Jennifer B. that started blogging in 2004. Then I was like, whoa! Haha.
But, it’s still cool that ‘another Jennifer’ is blogging here and sharing philanthropic ideas. 🙂
By golly, I think I may have just gotten a “philanthropy” idea….gonna blog about it this evening….
I thought I was pretty cool for starting to blog in 2007, but Jennifer James definitely has me beat!
I love that you just got a philanthropy idea too!
OH drat…the philanthropy idea didn’t quite morph into tonight’s post, but I’ve already started the one for tomorrow and you’re in there. HAHA.
Cyndi recently posted..I Give Myself Permission…and Thank You
Ha! I still enjoyed today’s post. Glad you’re blogging away, Cyndi! 🙂
This is truly inspirational. All the Jennifers do absolutely motivational work. I look upto you all. I just joined Mom Bloggers for Social Good.
Isn’t it amazing that we have all that power to share and spread awareness and information with just a click.
Purnima @The Alchemist’s Blog recently posted..An Evolution – Blogging to Activism
It is amazing, Purnima! I’m so looking forward to your panel at BlogHer. We can do so much with our voices.
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