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.
Jennifer Burden in Uganda with the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign (photo credit to Stuart Ramson/ UN Foundation)
With an interest in cultural anthropology, Jennifer Burden wanted to read stories about moms from different parts of the world every day. The problem was that she couldn’t find a website that gave her these type of stories to read.
Armed with copies of Blogging for Dummies and WordPress for Dummies from her local library, Jennifer created the World Moms Blog in one short month.
Launched on November 1, 2010, World Moms Blog is a collaborative website that writes from over 20 countries on 6 continents about motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. With over 50 contributors, everyone writes in English, and it is a complete volunteer effort. Even the mission statement was created by contributors.
World Moms Blog was listed in the ForbesWoman “Top 100 Websites for Women 2012.” Not too shabby.
Did I mention Jennifer is also a stay-at-home mom? She manages to keep the website running with the help of a global team of dedicated editors who handle editing, social media and more.
World Moms Blog has a “World Voice” column that includes posts on social good and human rights. Jennifer tells me, “we carry stories from all around the globe with the aim to give women and children a voice and to raise awareness on important issues such as global health, international orphanages, women empowerment, the education of girls, etc.”
The website is also an opportunity to bring women together who wouldn’t normally be found chatting around a common interest. According to Jennifer,
“We’ve had a Muslim woman in Alexandria, Egypt share comments on our blog with an orthodox Jewish woman in Tel Aviv. Women are talking across cultures and religions about the common thread of motherhood. We’re also taking our readers into the lives of many different women and geographies around the globe. Our goal is to have less of “us vs. them” and more of “us” by creating a familiarity across cultures.”
In addition, World Moms Blog aims to give back through various partnerships with foundations that have an emphasis on bettering the lives of mothers and children worldwide, including Shot@Life, CleanBirth.org, #ONEMoms and GAVI Alliance.
It’s kind of nice knowing moms have similar struggles and challenges all around the world, isn’t it?
Topics like this really can bring people together. We should let things we have in common be the first step of learning to coexist with each other. It is nothing wrong with celebrating our differences – they make us interesting, but we must not let them get in our way.
I believe travel can really help us all widen our horizons. So overcome your fear of unknown and embark on a travel adventure.
Marko @ Travel Photo Blogging recently posted..Big Blog Exchange competition
Well said, Marko. I love hearing about other people’s thoughts and experiences. We can learn a lot from each other. Traveling and experiencing new cultures is a great way to widen our horizons!
Jennifer —
Thank you for the interview. It is a pleasure to be a part of your Philanthropy Fridays!
Jen Burden 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
So glad we could finally connect. Happy to feature your work!
What an amazing thing that Mom has accomplished. I was fascinated to read this post. Thanks for sharing. I just stopped by from SITS to say hello; hope you find time to do the same.
Eva Gallant recently posted..I’m an Addict
She’s quite an inspiration. Thanks for stopping by. I will check out your blog.
Thank you, Eva. I appreciate your words!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
Jennifer, so happy to see you and WMB here! I think you’re doing amazing things, you know how much you inspire me!
Alison recently posted..Old School Blogging
Thanks so much, Alison. And thanks for the suggestion to feature WMB!
Yes, thank you for connecting us, Alison, and thanks for all your help in the past with World Moms Blog!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
And, of course, for being a friend! lol 😉
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
Oh, I love this! “Our goal is to have less of “us vs. them” and more of “us” by creating a familiarity across cultures.” Yes! Yes! Yes! Because at a heart and soul level, all of us moms want the same things for our children and for this world and this lovely heroic woman is finding a way to cut through the barriers to get those real conversations and change started. LOVE!
I loved that line as well, Ilene! Those conversations are so important to have.
I’m so glad that you both feel the same way. I think that is so important to get more moms talking and to find those familiarities.
Thanks for reading, Irene!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
Ditto what Ilene says! What a great concept and a great forum for understanding and learning! I am on my way over to check it out! Another great Philanthropy feature Jennifer!
Alexa recently posted..Friday Fiction March #3
Thanks, Alexa. It’s definitely a great blog to follow.
Ditto on what Ilene and Alexa say!! This is such an amazing idea and concept to develop!! Love this piece!! As always, so glad you shared this Jennifer!! 🙂
Chris Carter recently posted..“When Life Gives You Lemons…”
My pleasure, Chris. It’s a great blog to follow!
Thank you, Chris, and thank you for liking the concept. I appreciate hearing that!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
What a wonderful mission. We need more of “us” and less of “them” YES WE DO!! What a fantastic organization to feature for Philanthropy Friday! –The Dose Girls
The Dose of Reality recently posted..You’re Going DOWN, Iceman!
Thank you, The Dose Girls. We’re trying our best! I hope to work with our global moms to bring more neat global things to the table at World Moms Blog!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..CANADA: Stompin’ A National Identity Into Our Children
Thanks girls. I would agree that Jen and the World Moms Blog pretty much rocks.
It is so wonderful to connect with you here. You are a complete inspiration. I am still at awe how you started out your blog with just a desire to read how moms around the world do this everyday! And look what all the blog has accomplished! Awesome!!
Thank you, Purnima! And thank you for being a great part of World Moms Blog from India!!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..SPECIAL REPORT: A Modern-Day Story of Hospital Abuse
Jen has inspired me with her can-do spirit. She and World Moms Blog have generously supported my organization, CleanBirth.org. Jen has shared her time, ideas, connections, etc…
As women of the world, we have so much to learn and share with each other. Jen makes that possible. Keep it up!
Kristyn recently posted..Crowdfunding Totals: $5605, 5 weeks, 138 donors
Kristyn — You inspire me!! I’m so glad that you’re a part of World Moms Blog, and I am so grateful for the work you do at Cleanbirth.org by getting birth kits and midwives to pregnant women in Laos!
Jen 🙂
Jen Burden @WorldMomsBlog recently posted..SPECIAL REPORT: A Modern-Day Story of Hospital Abuse
That’s awesome, Kristyn. Thanks for sharing.
{Melinda} What an amazing and beautiful concept! 🙂 There is so much we can learn from each other.
Mothering From Scratch recently posted..adjusting to the force of motherhood
Absolutely, Melinda. This is why blogging is so powerful!