Planned Parenthood and Universal Standard Honor All Mothers

The language that informs the bulk of Mother's Day-related marking tends to hit the same key notes. Mainly, Mother's Day is lauded as a time to celebrate the strong women in our lives who raised, protected and nurtured us long enough to receive a stellar gift truly worthy of their greatness. While that's partially true, the overarching idea of motherhood has always transcended biology, formal familial ties and even gender. A mother doesn't have to physically birth or parent a child, nor do they have to strictly identify as women. Mothers can also refer to nurturing community leaders, involved mentors, or mothers-to-be. Planned Parenthood and Universal Standard believe that all mothers deserve to be celebrated. That's why the two have teamed up for a special Mother's Day T-shirt campaign titled "Ever Mothers," which celebrates every iteration of motherhood. The campaign tapped documentary photographer Stephanie Mei-Ling to capture an inclusive group of mothers and family modeling the campaign's trio of graphic t=T-shirts. Artists Amber Vittoria, Marylou Faure, and Melissa Koby created the designs, which are available in an impressive range of sizes, from 00 to 40. The shirts are now available on Universal Standard's website and retail at $58 each. All of the profits go directly to Planned Parenthood. Motherhood is a flexible identity “As a company, we serve a diverse group of customers and our mission is to create unprecedented access in a way that gives the same level of style, quality and respect to every individual that shops with [Universal Standard], so it comes so naturally to us to continuously support Planned Parenthood in their efforts to provide women and people of all gender identities with access to great healthcare," says Universal Standard's cofounder and chief creative officer, Alexandra Waldman. "Collectively, we’re bringing our common cause of advancing equality, access and inclusion to the forefront.” Opening up definitions of motherhood also works to formally recognize the concept of found families, or collectives of unrelated people who form supportive networks. Queer communities often thrive because of this concept, and the mothering figures within those networks are often credited for their life-saving love and acceptance. Through Ever Mothers, they are rightfully honored. “What’s really cool to me is that by design, mothering is genderless—brothers can mother, teachers can mother, CEOs can mother. I’ve seen some of the best mothering done by the queer community," says Jodie Patterson, an author and activist who is also featured in the campaign with her family. "Anyone in a leadership position can employ the concept of mothering. It’s a powerful practice rooted in the home, but I believe it has relevance where people collaborate, cohabitate and commune." Polina Veksler, cofounder and CEO of Universal Standard, adds: “Motherhood is very rarely a linear and simple journey. We see so many different people assuming a mothering role in their lives, to their children, friends, communities and to everyone that they care about, bringing about such a positive impact. All these forms of motherhood should be represented and celebrated in the same way that we celebrate traditional motherhood." 7-Eleven Debuts a Stylish Campaign That’s as Eclectic as its Consumers

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Planned Parenthood and Universal Standard Partnership Honors Many Sides of Motherhood

A new T-shirt collection recognizes that motherhood transcends biology

Shannon Miller

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Shannon Miller