“Division isn’t an accident. It’s a distraction.”
Hey there Reader,
Last week, I shared with you No Country for Mothers, the documentary I am honored to be part of as an Associate Producer.
It premieres on June 17, and the conversation it opens is one we cannot afford to let end when the credits roll.
Because this documentary is only the beginning.
This is a movement.
A movement to change the way this country supports mothers, families, caregivers, and children.
And just as importantly, it is a movement to stop the culture war that has kept women judging one another instead of supporting one another.
For too long, mothers have been pitted against each other.
Working moms vs. stay-at-home moms.
Breastfeeding vs. formula.
Natural birth vs. medicated birth.
Organic everything vs. whatever is on sale.
The mom who stays late at work vs. the mom who leaves at 3.
The mom who seems to have it all together vs. the mom who is barely holding it together.
And while we have been busy comparing, defending, judging, and explaining, the real question has gone unasked:
Why is motherhood so hard in the first place?
That is the question we should be asking.
Not, “Why did she make that choice?”
But, “What choices were actually available to her?”
Not, “Why can’t she manage it all?”
But, “Why are we asking her to manage all of this alone?”
Not, “Is she doing motherhood the right way?”
But, “Why does this country make every version of motherhood feel impossible?”
The division is not an accident.
It is a distraction.
And I am done falling for it.
That is why I am asking you today to sign the pledge.
Not because a pledge alone changes policy.
But because movements begin when people decide to stop participating in the story that keeps them divided.
This pledge is a commitment to support, not shame, other moms.
To lead with empathy instead of judgment.
To recognize that every choice a mother makes is made inside a system that was never built to support her fully.
To choose compassion over conflict.
Connection over division.
And collective action over silent struggle.
Here is the heart of the pledge:
I pledge to support, not shame, other moms.
For too long, we’ve been pitted against each other — working vs. staying home, breastfeeding vs. formula, natural birth vs. medicated, organic vs. whatever’s on sale.
And while we’ve been busy judging each other, the real question has gone unasked:
Why is motherhood so hard in the first place?
The division isn’t an accident. It’s a distraction. And I’m done falling for it.
I pledge to lead with empathy instead of judgment because I know every choice is made inside a system that was never built to support us.
I will choose compassion over conflict, and connection over division.
Because when moms stop blaming each other and start demanding something better, that’s when everything begins to shift.
I choose support, not shame.
That is the choice.
And that is the invitation.
Sign the pledge.
Join the conversation.
And then let’s keep going.
Because mothers deserve better.
Families deserve better.
And this country is capable of better.
Sign the pledge here: https://momsfirst.us/pledge/?emci=adbe85fb-0365-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&emdi=fdb8b483-9565-f111-8fcb-000d3a14b640&ceid=3308445
And if you haven’t yet registered to watch the documentary, I would love for you to join me.
I am hosting a local screening on June 23 in Parsippany.
Register for the Parsippany screening here: https://www.mobilize.us/momsfirst/event/948653/
If you are not local, there are virtual screenings and watch parties being held across the country.
Find a virtual screening or event here: https://www.mobilize.us/momsfirst/
And hit reply and let me know that you've signed the pledge!
All the love,
Maria