Rebel Mothers

Listen to the remarkable life and legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt, a true trailblazer of the 20th century. From her early challenges and insecurities to her groundbreaking activism and leadership as First Lady of the United States, Eleanor's impact on women and mothers continues to resonate today. Susie explores Eleanor's role as a champion for social justice, civil rights, and human rights, highlighting her efforts to create positive change and empower marginalized communities. Despite facing personal struggles, Eleanor's dedication to public service and her unwavering commitment to equality serve as an inspiration for women and mothers everywhere.

Topics:

• Eleanor Roosevelt's early life and influences
• Her groundbreaking activism and leadership as First Lady
• Advocacy for social justice, civil rights, and women's empowerment
• Legacy and impact on women and mothers
• Challenges and complexities of her role as a wife and mother

Resources:

• The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt by Eleanor Roosevelt
• No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II by Doris Kearns Goodwin
• https://web.archive.org/web/20130322023854/http://www.nytimes.com/learning/general/onthisday/bday/1011.html
• The Sad Truth About Franklin And Eleanor Roosevelt's Marriage
• Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
• Eleanor Roosevelt's Unprecedented Activism—From Inside the White House | HISTORY
• It's Up to the Women: Eleanor Roosevelt, Women’s Politics, and Human Rights
• Franklin & Eleanor's Children | Grateful American Foundation

Why does wine and motherhood seem ubiquitous these days? In this thought-provoking episode, Susie dives into the complex intersection of alcohol, the patriarchy, and motherhood. Drawing on historical perspectives, societal norms, and personal anecdotes, she explores the evolution of women's relationship with alcohol, the rise of "mommy wine culture," and the detrimental effects of alcohol consumption on maternal well-being. Through discussions on Holly Whitaker's insights and personal reflections, Susie challenges traditional notions of alcoholism and offers empowering perspectives on reevaluating one's relationship with alcohol. Ultimately, she advocates for reframing societal norms and prioritizing the holistic health of women and mothers.

Topics:

• Historical role of women in brewing and alcohol consumption
• Societal shifts leading to the stigmatization of female drinking
• Women's participation in the temperance movement and prohibition
• Rise of "mommy wine culture" and its impact on modern motherhood
• Examination of alcohol marketing targeted at women as a form of feminist rebellion
• Insights from Holly Whitaker's perspective on alcoholism and sobriety in the book Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol
• Personal anecdotes and reflections on Susie's journey with alcohol
• Strategies for examining and potentially altering one's relationship with alcohol

Resources:

• Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol by HOLLY WHITAKER
• Alcoholic beverages industry in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts | Statista
• Excessive Alcohol Use and Risks to Women's Health | CDC
• Women and Alcohol
• Meme Girls: The Wine Mom Phenomenon Speaks Volumes
• Women Led the Temperance Charge – Prohibition: An Interactive History
• What’s Behind the Growth in Alcohol Consumption? - The New York Times

Organizations for people who want to quit drinking:

• Sober Mommies
• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
• SMART Recovery
• Women for Sobriety (WFS)
• National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA)

In this special Christmas episode, Susie explores the life of Mary, the mother of Jesus, looking at her as a symbol of motherhood and what that means for modern mothers. We discuss her reverence in Christianity and Islam, her experience as a real-life mother, and her significance in various social justice issues, including interfaith cooperation, immigration reform, classism, feminism, and anti-racism. Mary's multifaceted role as both a symbol and a historical mother is examined, focusing on her empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity.

Topics Include:

• Introduction to Mary as a symbol of motherhood
• Mary’s significance in Christianity and Islam and her relevance to modern mothers.
• Mary’s perspective of Jesus’ life through her eyes as a real-life mother
• The challenges and struggles Mary might have faced as an unwed teenager with an unexpected pregnancy
• Mary’s seven sorrows as a mother
• Intersection of Mary’s story with social justice issues, including interfaith cooperation, immigration and refugee concerns, classism, racism, and feminism
• Mary as a symbol of female empowerment, consent, and resilience who celebrates the diverse experiences of motherhood.
• Mary's depiction as a Black Madonna
• The fusion of Mary with indigenous goddesses and African spiritual traditions.
• Mary as a rebel mother who continues to have a profound impact on women’s lives

Resources Mentioned:

• 2022 Report: Homicide leading cause of death for pregnant women in U.S. | News | Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• 2021 Study: The Pregnancy-Related Mortality Impact of a Total Abortion Ban in the United States: A Research Note on Increased Deaths Due to Remaining Pregnant
• Black Madonna - Wikipedia
• Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
• "Jesus and Mary Dance with the Orishas" by Clara Luz Ajo Lazaro in Hope Abundant: Third World and Indigenous Women’s Theology
• (PDF) From Majesty to Mystery: Change in the Meanings of Black Madonnas from the Sixteenth to Nineteenth Centuries | Monique Scheer - Academia.edu
• Dr. Christine Dennis - Mothers Seeking Transformation

Today we discuss the life of Jenny Marx, wife of Karl Marx, whose influence on the socialist movement is often overshadowed. From her aristocratic upbringing to her pivotal role in shaping the ideas that would change the world, Jenny's journey is one of resilience, commitment, and unwavering dedication to the emancipation of the working class. We explore her early years, her relationship with Karl, and the challenges they faced together, including poverty, exile, and personal tragedies. Through it all, Jenny remained a steadfast supporter of Karl's work, and deeply in love with the man behind the ideas. Her legacy as a feminist and revolutionary thinker continues to inspire activism and resistance to this day.

Topics:

• Early life and upbringing of Jenny von Westphalen
• Relationship with Karl Marx and their marriage
• Jenny's support for Karl's work and involvement in the socialist movement
• Challenges faced by the Marx family, including poverty, exile, and personal tragedies
• Jenny's role as a mother and activist

Resources:

• Love and Capital: Karl and Jenny Marx and the Birth of a Revolution, by Mary Gabriel
• The Economic and Philosophic Manuscripts of 1844 and The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels
• Capital: Critique of Political Economy, Volume I by Karl Marx

Welcome to a special episode of Rebel Mothers where Susie does a deep dive into the extraordinary life of a REAL rebel mother: Coretta Scott King, a woman who defied expectations and used her motherhood as a source of strength in her fight for justice and equality. From the racially segregated Alabama of her youth to becoming an iconic civil rights leader and activist in her own right, Coretta is an inspiration for maternal activists everywhere.

Topics Include:

• Coretta Scott King early life and education
• Marriage to Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Evolving role of Black women in the 1950s, balancing domestic responsibilities with activism.
• Coretta’s experiences during the Montgomery Bus Boycott
• Coretta's multiples roles as a mother, wife, activist, and singer
• Coretta’s many accomplishments, which includes establishing The Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change, securing Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a national holiday, advocacy for women's rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and worker's rights, and her legacy as both a mother and a relentless advocate for justice, equality, and nonviolence

Resources:

Coretta: My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds

Thank you for joining us in this episode of "Rebel Mothers." Stay tuned for more stories of extraordinary women who dared to challenge the status quo and shape the world in their own unique ways. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and leave a review. Your feedback is valuable as we continue to explore the lives and legacies of remarkable rebel mothers.