Birungi: I believe that many media outlets promote an "Us/Them" mentality, which I believe support an ignorant and apathetic sentiment toward Global issues. I also believe that it is part of my purpose through the Global Echo Online Forum to increase awareness and promote a "We" mentality, through the promotion of a lifestyle grounded in Sustainability and Guided by Global Advocacy. This is a lifestyle where "We" are all responsible for what happens to this earth and its people.
Do you think Every Mother Counts promotes a "We" mentality? If so, How? If not, Why?
Christy: I would hope that the name of our organization, Every Mother Counts, itself conveys a "we" mentality.
It’s important for the name of an organization to explain its mission and I believe that ours does that clearly as Every Mother Counts is an advocacy and mobilization campaign to increase education and support of maternal, newborn, and child health. EMC seeks to engage new audiences to better understand the challenges and solutions while encouraging them to take action to improve the lives of families through improving the health of ALL girls and women worldwide.
Birungi: I have moved around a lot with my family. My family and I have lived in places, such as the land of the Snowbirds, the Bible Belt, bustling cities and the home of the roar of Military Jets. Every place that we have lived, I have met people with varied perspectives on life.
Do you think that the mission of Every Mother Counts speaks to ALL walks of life? If so, How? If not, Why not and Who does your mission speak to?
Christy: It is our belief that this is one of the most universal issues and that for every one of us who has come into the world and survived the experience of childbirth, this issue and our campaign, we hope, will speak to you.
However, we are still quite a new advocacy organization and it takes time to get the word out to everyone. We already have gained quite a bit of traction amongst the maternal, newborn, and child health communities both domestically and internationally and are busy now finding creative ways to engage civil society as well in the US and abroad.
Birungi: I am meeting with Maggie Schmitz, the President of the US National Committee of UN Women. If you do not know already, this committee is dedicated to improving the lives of women and children around the world.
If you were at this meeting, what would you ask her on behalf of yourself and Every Mother Counts? If you so chose, What would you ask her on behalf of the children and women around the world that your organization serves?
Christy: I was at the launch of UN Women last spring and commend the UN for creating this entity. But like many of us in the room at the launch I felt it was too slow in coming and hope that it lives up to expectation. However, I have been following Michelle Bachelet closely since she was President of Chile and think she is a wonderful choice in leadership.
Birungi: Although I have been writing about Global Advocacy issues for most of my adult life, I am just beginning to step into this WORLD of Global Advocacy.
What would you have to say to those that want to make a beneficial Global Impact and reach out to the major influencers of this Global Advocacy world? In your experience, do you think building these types of relationships are pivotal to the success of a Global Advocacy campaign? Why?
Christy: I believe we live in a global community and that we must support our neighbors as though they were family. Any one of us can affect change, some maybe more so than others. When I speak to audiences I encourage people to use their voices if you are able. Too many girls and women around the world do not have that freedom.
Birungi: On my journey, many of the opportunities for me to meet people and make headway in this Global Advocacy world have occurred when I push my fears aside and just go for it!
Can you tell me of a time or times where you were afraid, while on your journey as a Maternal and Child Welfare Advocate?
Christy: When I was in the edit room with half of a movie complete, there were nights I would come home terrified that I would not be able to do justice to the stories of all these women. It was a huge responsibility to take on and I was an amateur. But I stuck with my gut and did my very best to honor everyone throughout the process and ultimately it all came together.
Birungi: As I write these questions in the midst of helping my son with his reading homework, I recognize that I feel very overwhelmed at times when trying to balance my work with the needs of my children and husband. Please let me not forget myself in that equation.
How do you try to keep sane, while balancing your family life, your work and your own independent needs?
Lord knows sometimes I feel like I am at my breaking point. I write this, just as my son gently bumps me with his elbow to pay attention! Girl, maybe I need to not do more than one thing at one time, but isn't that just what a mother does... more than one thing at one time! It's the way of the world, no matter where you are, no matter how much money you have and no matter how educated you may be, there is a mother trying her best to manage doing more than one thing at one time.
What is your definition of what it means to be a mother?
Christy: Like every other mom and wife on the planet I struggle to find balance between work, family life and taking time for myself. Becoming a mom has allowed me to prioritize in a way that I did not before. It has also taught me the valuable lesson which is that if my needs are not met or if my health is not good, I am useless to my colleagues and my family.
So while it may sound counter intuitive for most of us moms, mommy should come first.
Birungi: My ultimate dream is to have a successful global platform where I can help to influence the world towards a "We are all in this together!" state of awareness. I know there are many ways that this could transpire that I probably could not even imagine, at this point. With Every Mother Counts and everything else that has yet to come, what is your ultimate dream? What do you aim to achieve?
Christy: Many years of yoga have taught me to live in the present tense and not get too far ahead or behind myself but I have committed to using all that I have to educating and supporting maternal, newborn and child health. The EMC campaign will continue as long as 2015 when MDG 5 - to improve maternal health and reduce maternal mortality by 3/4- and then we'll take account of where we are and what needs our support.
Interview by Birungi Ives
Sorry, but that line made me chortle. Anyone else?
