If you’ve been around for a while, you know I’m a huge fan of Cooper and Emily, creators of the blog Been There and the online community called “The Motherhood“. Now, this spectacular duo and their labour of love have been nominated for a (squeeee!!) Webby Award, and I need you to vote for them!
I’ve blogged about The Motherhood and my undying affection and admiration for Cooper and Emily before. In fact, what I wrote three years ago when The Motherhood was launched is still as true and fresh as the day I wrote it:
I first “met” Cooper and Emily through their blog Been There in early 2005. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans in the summer of 2005, Cooper and Emily set up a clearing house where people who wanted to help could connect with people in need, and I was in awe of the power of two mom bloggers to make a real and concrete difference in the lives of people in devastating circumstances.
In the subsequent years, Cooper and Emily have raised awareness about (and even serve on the executive committee of) Moms Rising.org, and have recently spearheaded the BlogHer’s Act, a “year-long initiative to harness the incredible power of women online.” And they’ve even inspired a Canadian version.
As if being in the centre of all this hasn’t been amazing and incredible and enough to exhaust an entire cabal of bloggers, there is more! After more than a year of hard work, they’ve just launched another pet project, “The MotherHood.”
What is The MotherHood? In Cooper and Emily’s own words: “We asked ourselves — what if we built a big, beautiful tent where mothers can find, share and talk about all the interesting, hilarious, intriguing, inspiring, mobilizing, good stuff on the web, and, more importantly, find each other? And, with that, the heart and soul of The Motherhood was born.” There are link lists, discussion groups, favourite blogs, and much more on the way. It’s a great concept, and I know with Cooper and Emily behind it, it will be a wonderful place to hang out online.Not only do I love and admire Cooper and Emily, but I’m simply dazzled by them. And more importantly, I’m inspired by them. All modesty aside, even this simple little blog can be a tool for change, and I can start – in my own small ways – making a difference.
Apparently I’m not the only ones who think Cooper and Emily are doing an amazing job of making the world a better place, because The Motherhood has been nominated for a Webby! How cool is that? A Webby is like the Oscars of the Internet — that’s the big time, peeps, and I’m dazzled to know someone who has been nominated.
The voting ends tomorrow, and I’m making a special appeal to you. First of all, if you haven’t already, go check out the new and improved Motherhood. More importantly, though, could you please take a moment to register and vote for The Motherhood in the Webby Awards?
Voting for Cooper and Emily is not just a nod of appreciation to two girls who have worked their collective butts off to make our corner of the Internet a better place. It’s a vote to tell the world that you have confidence in an Internet that is collaborative, inclusive and creative — all the things embodied in The Motherhood. I support Emily and Cooper’s work with my whole heart, and I think you should, too!
Dear, beautiful friend. I’m crying big, grateful, happy tears of love and admiration. For the better part of a decade (gah!) you, the AMAZING DaniGirl, are one of our dearest, dearest friends. Your friendship is one of our most cherished treasures. It is an honor to know you and be on this journey with you. When we tell people about what it means to be a mom on the internet your post, from long ago, (you know the one!) is to this day the example we use. Every.single.time. You are the symbol of all that good for us. Your words here fill me with such happiness and pride. Thank you. Please know I am sending the biggest hug possible. Thank you.
Dani, you are so so wonderful. Your post made me cry all over again. I remember reading it three years ago and now to see it again and be here thanking you for your friendship and your wise and wonderful blogging over the years, well, it just speaks to the incredible power of moms connecting online. And when we first met, we had no real idea that there was a community brewing. It was truly the early days of moms online and as Cooper said, your gorgeous post was a lightening bolt – you showed how as moms we can speak the truth and be heard and be there for each other and on many days that can make all the difference. Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear friend. xoxoxo
Thanks for introducing me to your friends dani:)
reading these comments made me smile as well:)
and of course I voted