Minimum Wage

Throughout the week of July 22-26, 2013 the Kids Count Blog focused on issues related to the impact of low-wage work on families with children in Massachusetts. I posted on behalf of Mass PTA. There were great contributions all week! Read my July 25 post at the following link: Living within the Minimum Wage::Reality Check.

Convention Swag

I was a delegate to the 2013 State Democratic Convention in Lowell, MA - lots of good materials from advocacy groups and candidates for Congress in the CD5 and Governor/Lt. Governor (so far...)

An Army of Advocates

Members of Mass PTA in DC, March 2013

Even before the financial crisis of 2008, many of our children were attending inadequately funded and over-crowded schools. Silent Auctions, Spring Fairs, and the like, are great community-building events that also raise money to shore up some budget shortfalls, but they can only go so far.

What I'm Reading Today

On this grey, rainy Saturday...

The Blog

I'm involved in a number of issue advocacy groups: Progressive Democrats of Massachusetts (PDM), Massachusetts PTA (non-partisan), Progressive Massachusetts (Progressive Mass), League of Women Voters/Lexington (non-partisan), and others.

I decided to start this blog to write about what's going on with the various groups and campaigns. If you're interested in what's posted here, consider adding your email to the "follow by email" button at right. You'll get the blog updates and new posts automatically.

To learn more about me, follow me on twitter @MAStewartMA, check out my vizify profile and School Committee website.

I invite your comments, questions, or any feedback you wish to share. Use the contact form at right.

Massachusetts Kids Count Blog

The Kids Count Blog is a group blog about the well-being of children in Massachusetts. A wide range of issues affecting children are covered: from education and child care to juvenile justice and health. 

Many advocates and advocacy organizations were invited to guest post all week (June 17-21, 2013) as the Commonwealth marked the twentieth anniversary of the landmark Massachusetts Education Reform Act (signed into law on June 18, 1993). My post appeared on June 20, 2013 - click on the following link to read it: MERA::Reality Check.

Raising a Country

A personal reflection, in advance of Patriots' Day 2013, published in Lexington Minuteman, April 11, 2013

Raising a Country

On Patriots' Day, before marathoners take their marks and pancake breakfasts are served, re-enactors will stir in the morning haze as John Hancock's nimble-footed secretary protects a trunkload of Patriot-activist papers from British Regulars descending upon Lexington's Green.

When the Stamp Act crisis developed in 1765, signaling the revolutionary era, Patriot-activists were quick to respond. Patriot men and women, referring to themselves as “sons” and “daughters of liberty”, were spurred by the revolutionary cause and drawn to political action.

Re-enactors, dressing their parts in “homespun” linen or wool, tell of women’s participation in boycotts on finer British textiles. The constant spinning, knitting, and sewing, they say, kept hands busy and minds free. In sewing or spinning circles, conversation naturally turned to political and economic matters.

In Founding Mothers, Cokie Roberts asserts revolutionary women did what women do in remarkable circumstances: they accompanied soldiers to camp; served as spies; organized boycotts of British goods; and defended their homesteads alone. All this while they bore and buried and reared children. Then, the Revolutionary War was over and there was a country to raise!

How indebted I am to all women who have elevated and strengthened the level of political thought throughout our democratic history. This spirit of activism continues as women continue to raise families; organize campaigns, rallies, and demonstrations; speak up to elected leaders and decision makers; and drive change and make progress by seeking elected office ourselves.

As national rancor and uncivil discourse over the size of government threatens to quash us, one thing is certain: government is what we agree to do together.

This Patriot’s Day, let’s commit ourselves to raising up our country and follow the example of our Founding Mothers and Daughters of Liberty.