I’m all about holidays since becoming a mom. Even the ones I poo-pooed the most in my pre-mom days I now embrace on an ‘oh boy we can do art projects’ level (I’m looking at you Valentines Day). So with Mom’s Day rolling around we got out the construction paper and made some pretty sweet paper flower pots (yes, old Easter grass does have a use after all) complete with purple flowers created by my daughters adorable handprints. It was mom-errific. I know I’m a mom that needs to have her day too but I’ve never been good at that. Similarly, when my birthday rolls around I panic and forget what I want in the wake of saying, “Aw I don’t need anything.” which only goes to show how much I’m turning into my own mother. So when my husband badgered me to tell him what the heck to do this Mother’s Day, I was of course, stumped. We’ll keep it simple which is fine by me then later I’ll pathetically regret not asking for something more elaborate and attempt to try & remind myself next year, which wont happen.

So if you’re at a loss, as I often am, and trying to think of something more philanthropic to do for Mother’s Day, I’d like to point your eyes at Women for Women International. Founded in 1993, W.F.W.I works to end the abuse women in war-torn regions around the world endure by helping them transform their lives.

This is no hand-out. they provide financial and emotional support, rights awareness and job skills training so the women in their programs can become confident, active citizens.

Helping women like Elizabeth, who endured beatings from her husband and father because she wouldn’t allow them to marry off her primary school-aged daughter just so they could collect the dowry. Elizabeth was cast out of her family and left penniless with 6 children. Today, with the help of Women for Women International, she has a job that allows her to give her daughter the education she deserves. If you have an interest in doing something ‘bigger’ this Mother’s Day, honor women with a Mother’s Day Gift donation. Check it out http://www.womenforwomen.org/bustmag