May/June 2007

Dear Friends,

Mother's Day is celebrated during the month of May in many parts of the world. We at MADRE would like to take this time to salute mothers worldwide who work for a just world. We invite you to join us in celebrating these women, and someone special in your own life, with hand-crafted gift cards made by the mothers at Taller de Vida, our sister organization in Colombia. Crafted in beautiful detail using flower petals, grass, and other natural materials, the cards are part of an income-generating program that supports Taller de Vida's inspiring and creative work developing the artistic visions of former child soldiers.

Spring is a perfect opportunity for us to take inspiration from the flowers and trees and refresh our commitments to each other and to our work with our sister organizations around the globe. Thank you for standing with us in this work.

Sincerely,

Vivian Stromberg
Executive Director

MADRE'S LATEST

It's Not Just an Abortion Ban: The Christian Right's Global Agenda
MADRE responds to the Supreme Court's recent decision to uphold the abortion ban.

PROGRAM UPDATES

Share the wonderful artwork of our sisters in Colombia with someone special These exquisite cards are hand-crafted by the women of Taller de Vida, MADRE's sister organization in Colombia, as part of their income-generating programs. You still have time to send one for Mother's Day!

MADRE's New Book Club: Let's Read Persepolis
A fun and interesting way to read wonderful literature and introduce the crucial work of MADRE to your friends, family, and book club.

Sisters Without Borders in Colombia
A MADRE volunteer returns from Colombia to share details of his success training the youth at Taller de Vida on exciting new video and film production techniques.

Laptops for Leadership
A new MADRE campaign to strengthen the leaders of our sister organization in their defense of human rights.

MADRE AND OUR SISTERS IN THE NEWS

Climate-Change Victims Chip Away US Procrastination
The NewStandard cites MADRE on a piece about an Inuit court case against the US.

The Talibanization of Iraq
Ms. Magazine talks with Yanar Mohammed about the mounting repression, and courageous women fighting for their rights and their lives, in US-occupied Iraq.

TAKE ACTION

Can you lend a hand (and a head)?
Do you (or anyone you know) have expertise in database development? MADRE is in need of a volunteer consultant who can help us fine-tune our MS Access database. Please contact us at helpinghands@madre.org if you can help in our NY office.

Big Discount on Purchases at Giveline.com
Use the coupon code GIVE47 on purchases of books, movies, and more, over $25. A significant portion of the proceeds will be donated to MADRE and Giveline will cover the cost of your shipping. (Offer expires May 31st, 2007.)