Find out about Artists For Moms, and meet our new member joining the project in January. No matter who you are, you came from a mother. Each of us had very distinct experiences with our mothers (some not at all), but if you cannot bring yourself to feel compassion for women in need, then pledge to make a difference just because you love the woman who gave you life (even if you never met her). Ultimately, we are all children of women, and we are all connected through this most basic association. With this in mind, I decided to allow Artists for Moms to become an open source project: open to any individual wishing to participate, and open to interpretation and discussion.

Breast Cancer Awareness month celebrated its 25th anniversary this year with a multitude of highly successful campaigns and events. Millions of women and men came together to support the research for a cure – hundreds of websites went ‘pink’; thousands of dedicated articles and promotions circulated the internet; millions walked, ran, jumped, swam, threw, and sang to honor the victims and survivors of breast cancer. The Artists For Moms project takes a moment appreciate the journey so many women and families had to endure. November’s Artists For Moms contributors featured in this post and the pink gallery can be found below – thank you for helping to raise awareness!

“He began sexually abusing each daughter when she was about six, beginning with fondling, then kissing her genitals, and then moving on to oral and vaginal sex. One of his daughters began sleeping under her bed to get away from him. They did not notify the police. Throughout this entire span, Ray was very active in the Church and had constant callings.” In an all-male church and a strongly patriarchal community, complaints from women will typically get an extremely unfavorable reaction from both family and the clergy. The extensive political and religious networks of LDS have made reporting, tracking, and mitigating violence and sex crimes difficult. Shame and guilt keep victims from coming forward…

The first time I read about maternal mortality in TIME – a story about Fatmata Conteh of Siera Leonne who bled to death from a tear in her cervix during childbirth – I was inspired to start a very special project called Artists for Moms, which I hope will help raise awareness of high maternal mortality rates in third-world countries (among other issues) with the help of the global artist community. Most of us know the love of our mothers; some of us know the feeling of emptiness at having lost her or having never met her. A mother should not die because she is too poor or too uneducated – Artists for Moms aims to unite the artist community for the purpose of spreading the message of hope through artwork.

Deep thanks to everyone who signed the Petition for the release of two American journalists, Euna Lee and Laura Ling, who were in North Korea in march shooting a documentary when they were arrested on charges of illegal entry. The two women had been inmates at a “political offense village” – a place which utilizes a number of inhumane correctional methods, such as beatings, maiming, and forced exercise – and have been released today, Tuesday August 4th, 2009. Thanks to the efforts of former President Bill Clinton and the ‘kind heart’ of the capricious and sour little Kim Jong Il, the two women can return to their families safely and in one piece.

This Saturday, July 18th, we joined Habitat for Humanity in their Critical Home Repair Project, a very special and unique effort that is changing the face of the Charlotte community with a more effective use of resources – sincerest thanks to all who came, especially to Jason, Reid, and Chris of Wachovia Financial, and Chad (our patient site leader). I hope to see you all at the next event! Safe and clean homes are some of the most essential aspects of a successful and enduring community and volunteers just like you help make working families realize this dream – great job!

“We’ll be able to get homeowners in em’ for half the cost, it’s a more effective use of our donor funds,” stated Burt Green, the executive director of Habitat Charlotte in reference to the unique non-new construction projects he has been spearheading. Habitat Critical Home Repair (HCHR) was launched in 2007 and serves economically disadvantaged homeowners in Charlotte, working intensively with families to conduct urgent home repairs. Volunteering this month is an exciting opportunity to learn more about Habitat and the different ways we serve families in need.