by Jennifer Prestholdt (USA) | Oct 25, 2011 | Human Rights, Humanity, International, Motherhood, Working Mother, World Events, World Interviews, World Moms Blog Writer Interview, World Voice, Writing
Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?
I live with my husband and three kids in Minneapolis, MN, USA. The headwaters of the Mississippi River are in Minnesota, but I’m from the delta – Baton Rouge, LA. Growing up in south Louisiana was great, but it did not adequately prepare me for being the hockey mom that I am today. (My two sons play and I am still trying to learn the rules!) I have also lived in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Norway and Switzerland.
What language(s) do you speak?
My native language is English, but I also speak Norwegian. I also studied French and Russian.
When did you first become a mother?
October 9, 1999. Nine days past the due date, I might add.
Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work?
Since my oldest son was born, I have worked everything from 10 to 100% time at a fabulous non-profit called The Advocates for Human Rights. Currently, I am working 90% time as the Deputy Director. It’s a good balance for me. I took extended parenting leaves with each of my kids and, I have to say, being a stay-at-home mom is the hardest work I have ever done. As my husband says, we “go to work to rest.”
Why do you blog/write?
I started blogging as a New Years Resolution in January 2011. I realized that I had many stories from my experiences in fifteen years of human rights work, but most of them had never been shared. Some of these stories are about the worst aspects of (more…)
Jennifer Prestholdt is a lawyer and the Deputy Director of The Advocates for Human Rights, a volunteer-based human rights organization that works locally, nationally and internationally. Her work in human rights takes her around the world, but she spends most of her time in Minneapolis, MN, where she lives with her children (two sons and one daughter), her husband, an elderly cat and a dwarf hamster.
As Jennifer’s kids are now all in school (1st, 4th and 6th grades), she is finally finding more time to do the things that she used to love to do, especially running, writing and knitting. Jennifer loves to travel and has had the dubious distinction of having been accidentally locked in a bathroom on five continents so far. Australia and Antarctica await!
In January 2011, Jennifer made a New Year’s Resolution to start writing about her experiences in order to share with her children the lessons learned from 15 years of work in human rights. The result is her personal blog, The Human Rights Warrior. The name comes from her son Simon, who was extremely disappointed to learn that his mother is a lawyer, not a warrior.
You can find her on her blog The Human Rights Warrior or on Twitter @Jprestholdt.
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by World Moms Blog | Oct 23, 2011 | Canada, France, Indonesia, Scoops of Joy, UK, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Indonesia! We are in for a busy week!
We start off this week on Canada, with Multitasking Mumma. Babyhood – and motherhood – is full of milestones, and Multitasking Mumma talks about one of the most precious, most eagerly awaited – a baby’s first steps.
On Tuesday, we head south of the border to Arizona! Jeanelle Marshawn recently spent time in New York helping her son get settled as he embarks on an exciting new phase of his life. Jeanelle tells us about how being in New York turned out to be as much for her benefit as it was for her son’s.
On Wednesday, we fly across the ocean to visit with Tatter Scoops in Indonesia. She talks about how the expressions of love she experienced as a child were different to those that she and her family now share with her own child.
On Thursday prepare to be spooked! We are off to the United Kingdom, where new writer Sophie talks about Halloween! She tells us about what Halloween means to her family and her special needs child.
We end this week where we started it: in Canada! Kirsten Doyle, who remembers the unveiling of her school’s very first computer in eleventh grade, talks about the role of technology in her children’s lives.
We will also be hearing from two new writers in their interviews this week! On Tuesday, we will meet our Human Rights Warrior, Jennifer Prestholdt from Minnesota, and on Thursday we will hear from A Lady In France!
On Saturday, check out the Saturday Sidebar with Eva Fannon, where the World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic, and chime in with your answers to the week’s question!
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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by World Moms Blog | Oct 22, 2011 | Family, India, Motherhood, Saturday Sidebar, Susie Newday, Tara B.
This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from Eva Fannon, the World Moms Blog Saturday Sidebar Editor. She’s been enjoying some lovely autumn weather in the Pacific Northwestern U.S. and asked our writers,
“What hemisphere do you live in and what is your favorite autumn or spring memory (respective to your hemisphere) as a kid?”
Check out what some of our World Moms had to say…
Susie Newday of Israel writes:
“I live in the northern hemisphere. I loved the fall foliage and the changing colors.”
Jenna Farelyn of North Carolina, USA writes:
“I live in the Northern hemisphere and my favorite childhood memory from autumn is trick or treating with my family on Halloween. We didn’t do anything special, but it was one of the few traditions we had around holidays.”
MultitaskingMumma of Ontario, Canada writes:
“I live in the Northern Hemisphere and my favourite childhood memory about fall was bundling up and going to cut wood with my dad. It meant breakfast out and quality time.” (more…)
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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by Jennifer Burden | Oct 21, 2011 | International, Social Good, World Moms Blog, World Voice
It’s near the end of the pediatrician’s visit. Time for the vaccinations. Ugh. My heart sinks. “It’s just a pinch!” I say with a fake smile on my face. “You will be just fine.”
My daughter begins to climb under the examination table and repeat out loud, “I don’t want a shot! I don’t want a shot!” Tears begin to pour out, anxiety levels rise in the room, including my own.
“Why do I have to have one, Mommy?” “It prevents you from getting a really bad disease that can make you really sick”, I say. She can’t really comprehend the enormity of that statement at 4 years old. She continues to protest, from under the table.
The doctor and nurse softly try to get her out. Finally, they just pick her up and sit her back on the table. I sit right next to her, holding her. My heart is in my stomach. (more…)
Jennifer Burden is the Founder and CEO of World Moms Network, an award winning website on global motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. World Moms Network writes from over 30 countries, has over 70 contributors and was listed by Forbes as one of the “Best 100 Websites for Women”, named a “must read” by The New York Times, and was recommended by The Times of India.
She was also invited to Uganda to view UNICEF’s family health programs with Shot@Life and was previously named a “Global Influencer Fellow” and “Social Media Fellow” by the UN Foundation. Jennifer was invited to the White House twice, including as a nominated "Changemaker" for the State of the World Women Summit. She also participated in the One Campaign’s first AYA Summit on the topic of women and girl empowerment and organized and spoke on an international panel at the World Bank in Washington, DC on the importance of a universal education for all girls. Her writing has been featured by Baby Center, Huffington Post, ONE.org, the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life, and The Gates Foundation’s “Impatient Optimists.” She is currently a candidate in Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in the Executive Masters of Public Affairs program, where she hopes to further her study of global policies affecting women and girls.
Jennifer can be found on Twitter @JenniferBurden.
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by World Moms Blog | Oct 16, 2011 | Israel, Norway, Susie Newday, Tara B., USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Ready for another adventure this week, mothers of the world? Let’s get traveling!!!
We’re kicking off the week in New York City! Hey, why not? Maman Aya is back and telling us about her family’s genetic issues, her decision that her family was complete after having 2 kids and her internal struggle on weaning her youngest. Moms, she needs your advice, so tune in!
On Tuesday, we’re talking about breasts! Tara B. from Washington, USA tells the story of her first biopsy and reminds us all to do those self breast exams. A timely post during Breast Cancer Awareness Month in the states. Do those self-exams, ladies!
On Wednesday, get out your passports, as we travel over to the Middle East to visit Susie Newday of Israel! Susie’s messages of hope, inclusiveness and positivity, all while working as a nurse in a cancer ward are amazing. We look forward to seeing what she has in store for us this week!
Hop back on that plane and take a flight to Norway on Thursday to catch up with Ambre French, our French mom living in Scandanavia! Ambre is a working mom, who hops a flight back to Paris on business every so often for business — ah, the life!
Friday we’re having a special post about World Moms’ vaccination experiences. We’ll also be talking about two important vaccination programs in developing nations — the GAVI Alliance and the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life. It’s part of our effort to high light more social good on the blog since the Social Good Summit!
Also on Friday — fantastic news! Our World Moms Blog founder, Jennifer Burden, will be guest posting at Mamapedia about her Halloween costumes growing up and what’s in store for her children this year. You can also catch the post on the Mamasource Halloween page that day, too! (Way to go, Jen!)
On Saturday, check out the Saturday Sidebar with Eva Fannon, where the World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic, and chime in with your answers to the week’s question!
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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by World Moms Blog | Oct 15, 2011 | Cooking, Eva Fannon, Exercise, Family, Family Travel, Gardening, Hobby, Husband, International, Kids, Language, Living Abroad, Motherhood, Multicultural, Parenting, Relocating, Saturday Sidebar, Social Good, The Alchemist, Travel, Working Mother, World Voice
This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Maggie Ellison. She wanted our writers to look ahead and asked them to finish this sentence,
“In five years, I want to …..”
Read on to see how some of our World Moms responded.
Dr. Lanham of Arizona, USA writes:
“In five years I will be impacting lives by being a syndicated columnist managing my family’s careers all while owning and running my teen nonprofit Hodge Podge the Teen Cafe™.” (more…)
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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