This afternoon I participated in a press conference call hosted by Americans United for Change, featuring a group of people all supporting bills within the Advancing America's Priorities Act. Speakers included:

I just spent $2,200 in the blink of an eye...easiest money I ever spent. Check out our BlogHers Act/Global Giving fundraising widget:

What does it take to make a difference in another woman's life? Especially if that woman is someone you've never met with problems you can't begin to imagine? In years past you would need to sift through a hundred organizations, pick one with a decent reputation, find your checkbook and send your dollars via the U.S. postal service. Six weeks later you would receive a three page typed letter in the regular mail telling you how you made a difference. With the bar set that high, too few people gave and too many women continued to suffer.

When I think about the shoddy way that new moms are treated in the United States, it is no wonder that so many women end up postpartum depression.  We get so little support and so little time to recover and figure out what the heck we're supposed to be doing in this new role with this new little, breakable person who came without a background file.

We're doing great so far, but I hope more of you will take the time to join us. I've heard from women who say today is the first day they've ever spoken up about this issue. What an amazing day! Here's the list of participants I have so far. Please join this list of fabulous women (and a few men):

Today is Blog for the MOTHERS Act Day, sponsored by Postpartum Progress, BlogHer and Postpartum Support International!  Ladies, please get blogging!!  Your actions today will make a difference in the lives of all the new mothers created each and every day in America. The truth is that our country is more than capable of treating more women more quickly and more effectively when it comes to postpartum mood disorders.  We can do it.  We just don't.  All it takes is will.  A willingness among healthcare providers to further educate themselves and to screen for these illnesses.  A willingness among insurers to help cover costs.  A willingness among all those involved with childbirth education to lay out the truth.

A beautiful young mother of two has been missing in Rhode Island now for more than a month.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Aretha Franklin's iconic song. It seems like the perfect theme song for the posts in this week's law and media roundup. Here's a link to a you-tube clip you can listen to while surfing along with me. The Divorce Diva offers crucial information to help you get unhitched without becoming unhinged:

BlogHer '07 closing keynote speaker Elizabeth Edwards talked about the power of stories in the blogosphere and in public discourse. There are some powerful stories on the BlogHer media rolls that not only demonstrate the need for health-care reform, but also the need to question the way in which health-care stories are framed in public policy and the media.

Is a little bit like electoral politics without democracy. Fun for a little bit, but essentially lacking in something meaningful (am I getting this right? It happened fast...edit and comment if I'm getting it wrong).

Note: This session moved really fast, but I found it important enough to cover this that I'm willing to post this liveblog in its fully imperfect glory. I'll be cleaning it up today, with links, so you'll all have access to some great perspectives from smart women on some of our most pressing issues related to the upcoming election. Lisa Stone introduced Morra Aarons, the moderator for today and Blogher's political director. Lisa is the timekeeper.