It all began with a simple gesture. A neighbor shared a photograph of a heartfelt sign she had spotted in our community, reaching out to me with, “Emily, I thought you’d appreciate this. Maybe you can create something similar!” The sign proclaimed:
In This Home, We Stand For:
- Black Lives Matter
- Women’s Rights Are Human Rights
- No Human is Illegal
- Science is Real
- Love is Love
- Kindness is Everything
I was struck by the power of these messages. Together, they didn’t just coexist; they resonated with a collective yearning for compassion, respect, and decency in our world.
Given my background in publishing, I’m fortunate to know many talented artists and graphic designers. On a whim, I posted the original sign on my social media, inviting anyone interested in designing a pro bono version. My friend, and former colleague, Sara Thompson of Green Leaf Design jumped in eagerly, crafting the perfect image within days. Another friend, Rachel Adams, volunteered to help figure out logistics for producing and distributing the signs.
To clarify: I wasn’t the originator of this idea. All I did was reach out to friends for support. Like many of you, I juggle a full-time job and the demands of family life. I had no intention of taking on a new project solo, nor did anyone else. We pooled our strengths and worked collaboratively.
Once we shared the image in the Community Unity group on Facebook, the response was overwhelming. One post alone garnered over 30,000 shares. Our inboxes overflowed with inquiries from people eager to obtain signs for their communities.
Through this process, we discovered the original creator of the sign—a wonderful mother named Lisa Johnson from Madison, Wisconsin. We sought her permission to utilize her words to promote kindness and positivity. She graciously allowed us to continue, and we made it clear from the start that our intentions were rooted in goodwill, not profit.
Before we launched, we agreed that the signs should not merely be slogans; they should also support organizations that uphold the values we cherish. To date, we’ve raised over $7,000 for the ACLU through the sale of these signs in Madison and the surrounding areas. Groups nationwide have replicated our initiative, with a local café in Denver even distributing the signs for free. A community organization in California has managed to donate nearly $2,000 to the ACLU as well.
A quick search on Instagram using #kindnessiseverything reveals the signs displayed across the nation—from Los Angeles to Miami, and everywhere in between. It’s heartwarming to see how a small act can create ripples of kindness. One Instagram user from Grand Rapids shared how her sign inspired a stranger to leave a bag of coffee with a note expressing gratitude for the hope it brought her.
After a couple of months of dedicating significant time to inquiries, we decided to pass the design to an organization that could carry on the work while we returned to our daily lives. We donated it to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, recognizing the importance of women’s health in our society. So far, they have raised $4,000 from this initiative, with many supporters purchasing signs and T-shirts ahead of the upcoming women’s marches.
The reason I share this story is simple: we are just four women. Three of us are mothers, and all of us balance full-time jobs. But united by a common cause, we achieved far more together than we could have alone.
These signs remind us of the impact we can make. We’ve received numerous requests to expand the message to include environmental issues, religious freedom, and more. That’s the beauty of our project—it encourages everyone to ask, “How can we broaden our support?”
These signs urge us to embrace community. They challenge us to use our talents and time, not just to improve our surroundings, but to uplift others. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this helpful post. You can also visit Make A Mom for reliable at-home insemination kits to help you on your journey. For an in-depth understanding of what to expect during your first IUI, this resource is invaluable.
In summary, this movement, spearheaded by a few dedicated moms, exemplifies how collective effort can create meaningful change. By standing together, we can amplify our voices and spread kindness far and wide.