When logging gym miles on the elliptical, people generally listen to music or watch TV. But on one particular day, following her daily practice of meditation and affirmative prayer, Wendy Silvers says she heard the words million mamas march, Mothers Day, May 13, Washington DC. Whether it came from inside or out was unclear, but Silvers got the message. 
An Agape practitioner and spiritual counselor based in Culver City, Silvers has been teaching compassionate parenting practices for almost 10 years. Her focus is on ways to be with children that value both parent and child in a cooperative relationship, and honor the path of parenting. And whatever way a child comes into your life, she adds, “Whether a child comes to you or through you, it’s a very high and holy walk.”
But she’d reached a point where she wanted to be of more service, and the idea of mobilizing millions of mamas resonated with her. Strengthened by the support of Agape church leader Michael Beckwith, as well as Marianne Williamson and others, she launched the Million Mamas Movement.
Silvers’ vision is expansive. “The way we mother ourselves is the way we mother our children, and the way we mother our children is the way we grow our lives and then treat the planet,” she explains. She has an 11-year old daughter, but what about the many women who choose not to have children, as well as the other half of the population—men?
“It’s a movement of peace,” says Silvers. “Mothering is not gender specific; mothering is a way of being in the world, of nurturing and cultivating the highest within you so you can bring that to the planet. The mission of Million Mamas is really about inclusivity.”
Silvers envisions the “march” as a peace information gathering and celebration where people can learn how to get involved. “People want to be involved in changing things, and part of the challenge has been they don’t know what to do. This will point them to different organizations so they can be informed,” explains Silvers. Going forward she envisions ambassadors, Million Mamas circles that continue to work on compassionate communication principles, and virtual town hall meetings. Each year the movement will address an issue around children, starting this year with bullying.
“Peace and love are verbs, not nouns,” she emphasizes, adding that anyone who claims not to understand where children learn bullying should look around at our culture and media, even our presidential nominee debates. The Washington Monument space can hold 75- 100,000 people, and Silvers hopes political leaders will take notice, both in DC and on the campaign trail.
“I’m impassioned about having a world that really works for everybody and where children are safe and families are supported,” concludes Silvers, “and where there are policies in place. It’s a ripe and potent time for all of us to create what does work.”
Million Mamas Movement is sponsored by Creative Visions Foundation, a publicly supported 501 (c)(3) that supports creative activists who use the power of media and the arts to affect positive change in the world. All donations are tax deductible.
—Abigail Lewis
Photo of Wendy Silvers courtesy Claire Pearce
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2 Comments
Wendy Silvers’ movement has passion without violence against some imagined “opposition”—the tactic that most rallies use…rallying people to make someone or something wrong. The Million Mamas is about the unity of what we are all FOR, and mothers of the world all want the same basic things for their kids. Since this article was written, I hear that the rally will now be in Los Angeles. Suggest checking the website for more information, and for future info.
Ah yes, we heard this today from Wendy herself! Hope to have an update shortly.