Exciting moments on on the horizon! I'm leaving my full-time job at the Women's Media Center to focus for the summer on writing my blog, finishing my book, and raising awareness around issues related to custody, divorce, and our archaic gendered expectations for parents.One of my first projects since I made this decision was one I've wanted to do for a long time -- start a NYC NonCustodial Parent meetup group! It's been just a week since I created it, and there are already 20 non-custodial parents, many planning to be at our welcome event on June 16. I'm excited to see the diversity in the group -- moms and dads, same-city and long-distance, some battling it out in court while others (like me) have things mostly settled but still struggle with the day to day. One of the women in the group has a son around my son's age, and we are planning to get together with our boys when they come to visit this summer! I Just Can't Wait.
My last day at the Women's Media Center is next Friday. I have worked there for 3 1/2 years in almost every capacity, and it has been the most thrilling experience of my life. I currently am serving as the Program Director, running the prestigious media and leadership training, advocacy campaigns, and community-building. If I felt that I was leaving that work behind, I would be very sad indeed... but I have met and worked with so many inspiring women who are now my friends and colleagues, and the safe space the WMC provided for me to explore my identity and voice informed the confident woman I am today.
Hard to believe just four years ago, I was hesitant to even bring up my situation in conversation. Now I have been featured on television and in magazine articles, and people email me every week looking for answers, sharing their feelings of no longer being alone... I spoke at a mother studies conference (http://motherstudies.org/) a couple of weeks ago, and I am now so comfortable sharing my story that I find myself humbled and amazed to see what an eye-opener it is for people. I have had a book proposal written for a year now but haven't had the time to focus on it -- today that time begins.
Additionally, my son Oscar is 12 (going on girl-crazy adolescent), and I cannot wait to spend real time with him this summer to ensure that he is growing to be the feminist man he needs to be – boys can stop rape, and I want him to be a leader and stand up for what is right.So stay tuned for a blog that will be updated much more regularly -- I'll be monitoring the news as usual and offering the (noncustodial) parent perspective. I also plan to do some freelance writing on issues like teen pregnancy, young parents, and modern family dynamics. It will all be posted here and on Facebook of course. I know there are a lot more separated parents in NYC than have joined our meetup, so if you or a friend are one of those people, please spread the word: http://meetup.com/noncustodialparent/
Thanks to all the readers, everyone who has supported me over the years, and the noncustodial parents I know who are struggling to stay involved in their children's lives.
Love,
Rebekah
Congratulations on this most amazing move! Please plan on being available for another radio interview in the near future. Perhaps after the meetup!
ReplyDeleteAll power to you.
Barbara Glickstein
Healthstyles
WBAI Pacifica Radio
Thank you so much for all of your work at Women's Media Center! I love sharing the mission with women who don't know about the organization. They instantly "get" what an impact it does have and could grow to have!
ReplyDeleteThanks also for raising a son who knows that "consent isn't blurry."
Best of luck!
Karen
Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteI am so proud of what you achieved in a few amount of time. You deserve all this and more to come.
Best,
Mac
Thank you all so much... you inspire me every day! XO
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your voice Rebekah, but please don't forget there are many noncustodial moms whose children are in the grips of their abusers. They did not willing give up custody, and many are kept from even seeing their children. These children in some cases are abused and even raped...I saw two custodial dads in the news the other day charged with raping and fathering children with their daughters. This is horrific for mothers that have been dealt this hand by family courts, and there is nothing nice or cozy about it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, and have a great summer with your son. A lot of noncustodial moms aren't getting that chance.
Hope your meetup group is going well. I tried to start one in orange county, ca but only one person actually showed up. Not much interest I guess. I too left my daughter behind to move to the west coast for better job opprotunities. But then I found the love of my life and started a family. It's been 4 yrs and now I get a lot of questions about why I don't go back to court to fight for her (at least people finally understand why I left in the fist place). I just stumbled on your blog today and found some comfort...especially since I miss my daughter more now that I have a family without her.
ReplyDelete