In Like a Lamb – Out Like a Lion: WOMEN ON THE RISE at the MoM Conference and More…

March at MoM is going to be AWESOME! We are looking forward to our Annual Academic & Arts Conference, BIPOC Allies and Birth Worker event, recap on our visit with Girls Rock St. Pete, gratitude to ABC News for the recent coverage and more at the Museum of Motherhood in March for Women’s Herstory Month!

Our conference kicks off at the end of the month, but first here’s what you can expect:

LINK TO SCHEDULE for the Conference info is ONLINE at MoM, Fri-Sat, March 22-24 in St. Pete.

The conference is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC VIA ZOOM & IN PERSON. If you are interested in attending via Zoom contact us: INFO@MOMmuseum.org / SATURDAY RESERVATIONS IN PERSON @ EVENTBRITE $25 includes lunch with some Friday and Sunday seats available in person as well. Read more about this year’s content below and we hope you’ll join us!

Join a half a dozen artists with a special exhibition at Heiress Gallery, Keynotes by Courtney Kessel and Andrea O’Reilly with a special crochet circle lead by Madison Hendry and international artists present from March 16- 31st. Press Release is here with more info coming….

Threads of Connection: Mother (and other) blame, shame and pain, with a focus on resistance and healing. Blame and shame can be self-imposed or projected by dominant social narratives that hyper-focus on the performative nature of m/otherhood as reinforced by unrealistic hegemonic constructions. This can be true for adult children reviewing familial relationships and the world writ large as well.

We encourage presenters to unpack the sociocultural domain of mother (and other) blame and the psychological, personal, professional, and media environment within which this topic is situated. Who is harmed by blame, and whom does it serve? How are oppressive systems reinforced or even sustained? How can we resist or dismantle these systems in large and small ways?

Kick Off to Conference With BIPOC Allies & Birth Workers

Welcome to **BIPOC & Allies Birth Worker Speed Dating**! Are you a birth worker looking to connect with others in the industry? Join us at The Factory St. Pete on **Thu Mar 21 2024** at **6:30 PM** for a fun and interactive speed dating event. This is a great opportunity to meet and network with BIPOC and allies in the birth work community. Whether you’re a doula, midwife, lactation consultant, or any other birth worker, this event is for you! Come ready to mingle, make new connections, and potentially find your next collaboration partner. Don’t miss out on this exciting event in **St. Petersburg, FL, USA**! Please get your free ticket here

Join MoM Empowerment facilitator and certified life coach, Sierra M. Clark on her journey to joy.

𝐸𝓂𝒷𝒶𝓇𝓀 𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒿𝑜𝓊𝓇𝓃𝑒𝓎 𝑜𝒻 𝑅𝑒𝒸𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎, 𝒟𝒾𝓈𝒸𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐸𝓂𝓅𝑜𝓌𝑒𝓇𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓊𝓈. 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓃𝓈𝒻𝑜𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝑒𝓍𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓃𝒸𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒𝑔𝒾𝓃 𝑜𝓃 𝓣𝓾𝓮𝓼𝓭𝓪𝔂, 𝓜𝓪𝓻𝓬𝓱 𝟱𝓽𝓱 𝓪𝓽 𝟲𝓹𝓶, 𝓸𝓷𝓵𝓲𝓷𝓮.

𝑅𝑒𝑔𝒾𝓈𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒻𝑜𝓇 ‘𝓐 𝓙𝓸𝓾𝓻𝓷𝓮𝔂 𝓦𝓲𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷: 𝓡𝓮𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻, 𝓓𝓲𝓼𝓬𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓻, 𝓔𝓶𝓹𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻’! Visit Sierra on Fridays at the museum 🙂

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: http://tinyurl.com/AJourneyWithin

May be art of 2 people and text that says 'The Artist Enclave of Historic Kenwood 2024 Artist Studio Tour FREE, SELF-GUIDED AND FREE το THE PUBLIC Saturday, March 16th: 10am-6pm Sunday, March 10am-5pm 9th aRtiSt enclave KENWOOD HISTORIC HISTORIC School KENWOOD Central kenwodatistenav.or/rtis-sudio-our Maps of the Artists Studios will be available online using the QR code after February 15th and physical maps at the Patron' locations'

But, first-pay attention and HOLD THE DATE AEHK 7th Annual Studio Tour is coming March 16 & 17th! This is a wonderful opportunity to explore local artists studios “Where Art Lives” @historickenwood

Special guest artist in residence MOM ART ANNEX @museumofmotherhood with art onsite by Amy Wolf @wolfcraft360 and Elsie Gilmore @crazysexyelsie @hugmobile

#art #stpete #tampabay #localart #studiotour #aehkstpete

Who Rocks? You Rock!

We love our community collaborators. Thank you to Girls Rock St. Pete for visiting MoM and asking all the great questions as we celebrate Women’s Herstory Month together throughout March this year. We can’t wait for more music, more fun, and more connections!

**Flash Feminism –Do you know your ‘women’s herstory’?**

https://mommuseum.org/her-story/In order to understand the profound impact women’s history has had on our policies, culture, and world, it is important to discern the multiple waves of feminism, the fight for the freedoms we enjoy today, and the manner in which women’s struggles for equality have been challenged, and continue to be challenged, even in contemporary society. Below is an overly simplified, yet effective overview of the four U.S. feminist waves, for students of all ages! Go to our herstory page to get an idea of where we’ve been and where we hope to go in the journey towards equality for all. [CLICK]

Thank you ABC News and Robert – We THANK YOU!

ST. PETE — March 1 marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, and in St. Petersburg, there’s a museum not just dedicated to women but to moms.. Watch and read the full story here: https://www.abcactionnews.com/lifestyle/things-to-do/womens-history-month-on-full-display-at-museum-of-motherhood

MoM’s Healing Garden – Finding Your Path To Wellness

Before we round the corner into February, we want to share some upcoming opportunities that we think are worthwhile reflections of a ‘new year – new you journey’ with MoM. Many of us charge out of the gate with the best of intentions post-holiday as we turn the calendar on another year. Each of us carries some degree of hurt, loss, pain, or trauma. We already know this. Studies also show that arts, culture and community are great ways to feel more integrated, connected, and educated about our purpose and place in the world. MoM is so pleased to support the work of some of our friends, facilitators and collaborators for this ongoing holistic journey to serenity, connection and even happiness.

Black History Month

We celebrate Black History (and HerStory) Month at MoM with our exhibit featuring Sojourner Truth, activist, suffragette, mother and preacher. We are continually inspired by her example of calling out gender and racial inequity. We stand by her memory and share her story at our space in The Factory in St. Pete beginning with the First Wave of Feminism circa 1850. We also celebrate our local Carter Woodson African American Museum here locally. Carter G. Woodson was a scholar and historian who dreamed of an entire month devoted to Black History, just as we, at MoM dream of an entire field of study, museum, and month of scholarship, art, and education devoted to mothers each May across the USA.

Well-Being Is (Mostly) An Inside Job

Visit MoM’s Healing Garden growing onsite at The Factory. We didn’t know we needed this, but we do! Part of our mission at MoM is to ‘start great conversations’. Over the course of the last four months we’ve been astounded at the humans in need of a deeper connection as they process issues around loss, grief, stress, and isolation. Inspired by our neighbor @Gio’s_Typos and his garden at The Factory we’ve decided to carry the mantle of floral expression to new heights as we build out our in-person experience with prompts, poetry and stress -relievers. Bring a flower, take a prompts, enjoy the serene and intentional setting and visit soon. We’ll be waiting for you! Regular hours are 12-6 Wed – Saturday, Second Saturday Art Walk (Second Saturday each month) 6-9PM, Indie Flea (First Sunday of each month) 12-3PM. Call ahead to book your tour and make sure our volunteers are on site. 877-877-MOMS (6667). Leave a message and we’ll call you back.

Break Free from Anxiety & Love Yourself Unconditionally

A Very Special Women’s Retreat Feb 9-14. 5-days $299 or just the weekend $149 – plus accommodations (meals included). Rooms with private bathrooms are selling out. Finally release layers of emotional pain and reconnect with calmness, clarity, and happiness. Experience on-the-spot anxiety relief plus music, movement, and meditation to reawaken joy.

LEARN MORE:

https://www.stressisgone.com/retreats#nextretreat

The Stress Is Gone Method is a transformational healing modality facilitated by Author & Stress Expert, Brett Cotter. He is a clairaudient empath that guides you to reopen your heart as you feel self-love melt down emotional pain in your body and inside old memories. Brett has 25-years experience helping people recover from the most traumatic events of their lives.

“As a clinician, it was impressive feeling my own stress lift out of my body. I’ve encouraged several family members to call for coaching!” Gerri DeBenedetto, Mother, LCSW

”It was a life-changing experience. Brett creates a safe space to open up and has an innate ability to get to the core issues. You feel tension leave your body.” Sarah StanczewskI, Working Mom, NY
Immerse yourself in a safe place for deep, lasting emotional healing.

“I never expected in the first 5 minutes he’d be able to identify the source of my trauma, and give me the words to release it and move on.” Deidre Auchmoody, NY

[POSTPONED DUE TO ILLNESS] 33 Days of Transformation In-Person & Online Development Workshop

Sierra M. Clark, MoM Empowerment Facilitator invites you to join her onsite at the Museum of Motherhood each Tuesday at 6PM beginning Feb. 6th (or online) for FOUR WEEKS – 33 days – of personal and professional empowerment. Each week focuses on specific aspects of the empowerment journey, allowing participants to delve deeper into their strengths, obstacles, and break-through to new awareness and behaviors that will benefit every area of their lives. Sierra uses custom built tools which she shares with you as part of this workshop for your ongoing success. These tools can also be used for a self-paced experience which Sierra will guide you through. Register now for this insightful, personal, and empowering experience!

MoM Announcements

“Womb Project”
By MADISON HENDRY
Time-Based Sculpture and Documentation
Sculpture: Pink Yarn, Crochet Hook
Prints: Color Print on Foam Core
May 2013 – January 2014.

This 9 month long documentation explores the physical changes artist, Madison Hendry experienced throughout her first pregnancy. By crocheting around herself during this period, she creates a “womb-like” soft sculpture, which protects and comforts her, just as her womb protects and comforts her growing baby. Madison utilizes the repetitive and meditative process of crocheting to reflect on her pregnancy. As her baby continues to grow and begins to manipulate her body, it is apparent that the sculpture is doing the same. The more the baby grows, the more difficult it becomes for the artist to continue creating her work. However, it is inevitable that she continues. This is catharsis. At last, when the sculpture is complete, it is then deconstructed by the artist to reveal the greatest work of art; her baby. The “Womb Project” is currently on display at MoM.

Please Welcome Our New Board of Directors 2024

Courtney Kessel, President, is a mother, artist, academic, and arts administrator living and working in Athens, Ohio. She is currently the Assistant Director for Experiential Design at Ohio University and a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Arts. Courtney is one of the pioneers of the mother-made art movement.

Kayley Robsham – Secretary, is professional life coaching and Neuro-Linguistic Programming trainer, advanced Certified Life & Business Coach working with entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, healers, and visionaries to grow their business by helping them heal their subconscious mind and body.

Deanna Barcelona, Treasurer, (aka Dr. B) is a proud St. Petersburg local mama to two teenagers. Her Ph.D. is in Higher Education Administration with a cognate in Anthropology which she studied for both her undergraduate degree and Master of Arts. She currently works as a home loan specialist transferring her strengths and skills as an educator into the world of helping people build wealth through homeownership.

Atlas Obscura January 11, 2024– Thank you for adding us to your collection of newsworthy organizations. Atlas Obscura has a mission to inspire wonder and curiosity about the incredible world we all share. MoM is part of 28,202 unique places shared by this resource. [LINK] for their recent coverage of MoM – because, ya know, m/otherhood is so obscure!

CFP: Incarcerated (M)others Publisher: DEMETER PRESS / Editors: Olga Marques & Michelle Hughes Miller. Writers, artists, academics, activists, and all those who work in and/or study or explore (m)otherhood within the context of incarceration are invited to propose a chapter for this interdisciplinary anthology centered within the criminalized, regulated, resisted, and lived experiences of (m)others who are or have been incarcerated and/or are or have been under state supervision. When we use the term (m)others, we refer to anyone who self-identifies as a mother or parent who has or is engaging in motherwork. We use the term incarceration to reference state governance over the lives of individuals within the state’s regulatory authority. CFP PDF Download

We continue to promote, thank, and celebrate the work of WEDU PBS who did an extraordinary job capturing the journey of founder Martha Joy Rose music career to motherhood through illness to the creation of the Museum of Motherhood in St. Petersburg, Florida. From inception in 2003 in New York to actualization, the aim of MoM is to reach humans everywhere with a message of inspiration, education, and compassion. The video is on rotation locally in throughout the Tampa Bay/ Sarasota area and is also available for viewing on YouTube. Here’s the LINK.

Making New Friends, Thanking Old Friends, St Pete Connections & Our Shared Success in 2024

Please join us in thanking WEDU for an incredible portrayal of 20 years worth of labor on the MoM distilled into a 10 minute profile, airing tonight at 8:30PM EST on local/FL TV, by Producer Kristine Kelly, camera by James Borchuck and the entire production and staffing team at PBS on the creation of the Museum of Motherhood through a very personal lens.

MoM is a legacy project because of a deep need in our world and in our society, a vision that came through immense hardship, and a lot of grinding work, as well as some blissful and blessed support with volunteers and allies. Every single person who has put their energy behind this initiative can, and should, take pride in being part of something that in an amazing FIRST on this planet.

Each volunteer, visitor, student, board member, academic, artist, team member, donor, friend, and family member should consider this story of perseverance and triumph to be their own. We share it with you in every way.

New exhibits coming. Installation of Madison Hendry ‘The Womb’ Project is in progress.

Make it GREAT with us: This is OUR YEAR FOR UNMITIGATED SUCCESS. MoM is going to find the funding and partnerships it requires in 2024 to build our forever home – with your help, equity, and alliance! Together we rise!

Motherhood in Motion | Greater St. Petersburg

Everyone has a #Mother, but #Motherhood encompasses much more than a traditional maternal role. We explore the art, science, and history of mothering in its myriad forms through the one-of-a-kind @MuseumOfMotherhood More episodes of Greater St. Petersburg are available on our website @ WEDU

COLLABORATORS, PARTNERS, and SPONSORS

13: The Power of Positivity, Peace & Family (w/ Nana)

In this special episode Josh Naaman of Naaman Creative interviews his grandmother, Nana, about her life, lessons on family, kindness, and peace, and discovers how these values helped shape Josh’s business model. This intimate conversation highlights the enduring impact of family bonds, emphasizes the joy of doing what you love, and explores timeless wisdom from a life well-lived. Join us in celebrating family, love, and the pursuit of happiness across generations. (Hear our MoM ad)

THANKS FOR BEING PART OF IT ALL!

We have a call out for VOLUNTEERS. Looking for onsite event volunteers for Second Saturday Art Walk, First Sunday Indie Flea, docents, and social media! Please give us a shout if you have a few hours a week or month to share and join our AMAZING team! Or, create your event, workshop, or gathering by getting in touch FORM. Also, INFO@MOMmuseum.org / 877-711-MOMS (6667)

Second Saturday Art Walk, The Modern Woman, WEDU Filming and New Board Members at MoM

We are thrilled to announce multiple exciting events at the Museum of Motherhood.

This weekend, Saturday January 13, 2024 in collaboration with Drew Marc Gallery, MoM celebrates a show of contemporary women artists, titled ‘The Modern Woman‘. As part of our Women in the Arts series interview (excerpts can be found on our instagram @MuseumOfMotherhood) see the video below. The Drew Marc opening this Saturday features the art of Andrea Dasha Reich, Blair Vaughn-Gruler, Maggie Kruger and Michelle Gordon. The show starts at 6PM- 9 with a food truck on site. Make sure to visit the Museum of Motherhood when you visit. We will be open to the public as well. Drew Marc Gallery is located in Building 8. MoM is located in Building 5 (across from the Fairground and DaddyKool Records).

This Friday, January 12th, please be our guest onsite as WEDU wraps up filming on the Museum of Motherhood, covering our move to The Factory in St. Pete and our quest to be a women’s museum in Florida with a focus on m/others. Please join us at 1PM (or a little earlier). All new and old friends are welcome! Linger for an hour, be part of a tour, speak on camera and share your thoughts! Or, just join us for some lite fair. It would be GREAT if you could let us know you’re coming either through DM on social media, INFO@MOMmuseum.org or call 877-711-MOMS (6667). We’re gonna rock it (with YOU).

More Upcoming Events

January 2024 last call to view Alexia Nye Jackson’s Mother: The Job exhibit through January 15th onsite at The Factory.

January 17th MoM welcomes the Womb Project ‘Time-based Sculpture and Documentation’ with yarn by Madison Hendry.

February 18th Feminist Pizza Party: as part of Dining for the Arts with Historic Kenwood.

March is Women’s History Month! Bringing a new exhibit titled ‘Bag Ladies‘ with the art of Judy Lyons Schneider and Alice Harrison.

March 16 & 17 – MOM Art Annex Studio Tour as part of the AEHK.

March 22-24 – Annual MoM Conference: Threads of Connection – Sorry/Not Sorry featuring keynote speaker Courtney Kessel with an interactive site-responsive installation of “Fabric of Life” and the art of the doula and Madison Hendry with group-led conversations circles at the Mother Tree with community crochet, panel discussions, conference presentations, and local health & wellness exhibitions.

May is Mothers Month! Saint Petersburg Month of Photography – SPMOP (Local Photography Exhibit) in partnership with local artists.

June- July Geography of a Woman featuring Interiors “we are all pink inside” by Christen Clifford and the Goddesses of Malta.

This schedule is sure to blossom. If you are interested in getting involved with MoM as a volunteer, partner, collaborator, local sponsor, or through workshop or other participation, or if you’d like to share your time or expertise, please contact us! To make a donation to MoM go to our donation page please.