million mums

Launched on Mother's Day in the United Kingdom, 22 March 2009, the Million Mums campaign aimed to raise awareness about women dying in pregnancy and childbirth; bring together an active group of people to campaign for healthcare for pregnant women and to provide a united voice speaking out against needless maternal mortality worldwide.

The Million Mums campaign was a huge success, which has had a massive impact on raising awareness about maternal health in the UK and supporting our national alliances. Highlights on the campaign include the launch with celebrity mothers, activities at Glastonbury Festival in 2009 and 2010 and the Downing Street Christmas party in 2009 "Downing Tweet". As the campaign comes to a close our members continue to plan amazing activities like the three friends "3 Birds 1 Mountain" who will climb Mont Blanc in August and the Tweet Trek, which will cross the Himalayas next March, raising funds and linking with WRA India.

The White Ribbon Alliance would like to thank everyone who made the Million Mums Campaign to happen. With a special thanks to Jo Rheam from Mummo for the inspiration and to WRA Global Patron Sarah Brown and WRA Global Ambassador Naomi Campbell for their continued leadership and support.

Key Milestones

Sarah Brown joins a host of celebrity mothers to launch the Million Mums campaign
Sarah Brown was joined by supporters including Kathy Lette, Kirsty Allsopp, Kelly Hoppen, Trisha Goddard, Lauren Laverne and Meera Syal to help launch the million mums campaign.

Pictured: Lauren Lavern; Susie Willis Plum Baby; Torie Chilcott Rockabox Media; Jo Rheam Mummo; Tisha Goddard; Lyn Thomas IPPF; Marianne Troup WRA; Fozia Organic Baby Wear; Maryanne Stone-Jimenez WRA Canada; Debbie Reece Bloch Producer; Rose Village Student; Brigid McConville WRA (UK) Director; Emily Eavis, Glastonbury Festival, Gemma Weekes Poet/Auhtor & baby Isaiah; Clare Bennett Creative Development Consultant; Diana Quick; Daphne Troup; Katy Woods WRA. Maeve Shearlaw WRA; Judy Difore Pushy Mothers; Meera Syal (MBE); Eve Pollard (OBE); Kathy Lette; Kelly Hoppen (MBE); Rachel Berg Pushy Mothers; Ann Mette Kjaerby Parliamentary & Policy Advisor APPG on PD&RH with baby Art Kjaerby-McCormick; Kirstie Allsopp & baby Oscar; Jayne Trotman Warners Films; Amy Langford & baby Ava Thorp; Sarah Brown WRA Patron; Anna Hyde ICA; little Lola Kjaerby-McCormick & Monica Steffensen. Credit: Photographer Mike Owen, Art Director Neil Cunningham With thanks to: The Worx, Jem, Lois, Nadine, James, Laurence & Liz

Glastonbury Festival Supports the Million Mums Campaign
Million Mums is an exciting new campaign to raise awareness about maternal and newborn health – all over the world. The aims of the Million Mums campaign are simple: to join together a million people (or more), to raise a million pounds (at least), to provide a united voice to speak out against preventable maternal mortality. Million Mums will be a key part of Glastonbury Festival's range of "good causes" this year, with a big presence in The Park, as well as eye catching "tattoo" messaging all over site.

Says Festival organiser Emily Eavis: "I've been working closely with the White Ribbon Alliance over the last year, and the Million Mums campaign is in direct support of the brilliant work they are doing. The Festival will be a great opportunity to really raise awareness of the work that urgently needs to be done."

The Million Mums Tattoo Parlour At Glastonbury this year the Million Mums team have decided to bring you the chance to give the ultimate tribute in the form of an 'I love my mum ' style temporary tattoo, as well as some much needed TLC with an on site masseuse, lots of lovely music and flapjacks and tea for the lucky ones.

Festival goers will also be able to add their name to the Million Mums campaign at the information stalls all over the site and send postcards home to their mums. Please come and visit us at our tent in The Park (next to the Rabbit Hole), or go to one of the Information Points to sign your name in support of the campaign. This will help to provide the White Ribbon Alliance with a united voice to assist their advocacy work around the world and speak out against these needless deaths.

Take the Million Steps Challenge
'Million Steps' for Million Mums is going from strength to strength! Pushy Mothers Instructors are stepping away all over the country to raise awareness and funds for the White Ribbon Alliance.

The idea behind this drive is very simple: Million Steps asks people nationwide to throw on their trainers, pick up their pedometers, enlist the support of their families and friends and take some steps for maternal health. All money raised will go directly to the Million Mums campaign to help support the work of White Ribbon Alliance members around the world.

Sarah Brown Hosts to Downing Tweet Christmas Party
Sarah Brown met the faces behind the 'tweets' when she welcomed guests supporting the Million Mums campaign to Downing Street for a special Christmas party.

'The Downing Tweet Christmas Party' provided an opportunity for people from all walks of life, from student action groups to the entertainment industries, to come together and raise awareness for Million Mums.

The campaign's aim is to sign up a million people to donate to the cause to stop preventable deaths in childbirth and through birth related complications because of poor access to healthcare.

Sarah Brown is a regular Twitter user, having recently reached the 'Magic Million' followers, and has spread the word about Million Mums via the medium. At the event, she spoke of the appeal of the technology:

"Twitter has brought so many different kinds of people together - I'm delighted that Downing Tweet has done the same and provided new momentum for the Million Mums Campaign. Every minute of every day a woman dies in pregnancy and childbirth or because of birth related complications."

The Prime Minister's wife has used Twitter in the past year to highlight the causes close to her heart, and as the Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood she has a particular interest in the Million Mums campaign. The Alliance aims to help reduce maternal mortality by 75% by 2015.

Guests at the Downing Tweet Christmas Party were able to tweet about the event from a specially created 'Tweetzone' whilst they were entertained by singer Beverley Knight and ate mince pies adorned with the iconic Twitter bird.

http://www.number10.gov.uk/Page21637

Mum's Café - Hold Your Own for Maternal Health
Invite your friends and colleagues for a cuppa and a chat at your very own Mum's Café and help raise awareness about maternal health and the White Ribbon Alliance

It's easy to do and loads of fun! Get the curlers in the hair and a fun tea lady frock on and serve that tea!

Click here to find out more about Mum's Cafe