Owning Our Voice Schedule of Events & Challenges

National Infertility Awareness Week® 2021 begins today!  And that means…  Owning Our Voice, online events and social media challenges especially for the childless by infertility community, is starting, too!  Woohoo!  I’m soooooo excited!  So, what’s the Owning Our Voice Schedule of Events & Challenges?  Well, keep reading…

In supportive collaboration with RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association and in partnership with Tutum Global, we are #OwningOurVoice, showing the world what it really means to be #ChildlessByInfertility.  And how are we doing this?  With hashtags, Facebook frames, virtual events, and social media challenges!  Find all details about the Owning Our Voice Schedule of Events & Challenges below!

Hashtags & Facebook Frames!

Let’s make sure our voices are heard!  So, when you participate in the daily social media challenges, make sure to use the following hashtags:

• #OwningOurVoice
• #ChildlessByInfertility
• #NIAW2021
• #WhatIWantYouToKnow

There are 20+ CNBC Awareness Ribbon frames available on Facebook, including one specifically for #OwningOurVoice.  Just go to www.facebook.com/profilepicframes and search “Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon.”

Owning Our Voice Schedule of Events & Challenges!

And now, for the Owning Our Voice Schedule of Virtual Events and Social Media Challenges…

Day 1:  Infertility and Mental Health

Virtual Event with Live Chat – 1:00 PM EDT on Childless Women Network

To kick-off #OwningOurVoice, we are going to create a dialogue between infertile women and therapists.  In a special Dwelling Place podcast, Jobi talks with several childless by infertility warriors, who share their stories.  A therapist will also give her insight about the unique pain caused by infertility and childlessness.

Day 2:  Let’s Keep it ‘Reel’ about Infertility

Social Media Video Challenge

Social media challenges begin on day 2 (Monday, 19 April).  Post a reel (a video 59 seconds or shorter), sharing your truth about being childless by infertility.  You can record just your voice or show your beautiful face…  Whatever you feel at ease with, fabulous one.  Maybe that means recording your truth but only for yourself.  Or perhaps you like others’ videos, comment on them, or even share a video or two.  Participate as you feel comfortable…

Virtual Event with Live Chat – 1:00 PM EDT on Childless Women Network

Tutum Talks also begin day 2.  Jobi secured incredible experts who will “unpack topics important to the childless.”  And I had the honor of conducting the interviews with these experts!  On Monday, 19 April, we’ll talk with April Christina, of EndoNMe, discussing “Living With Endometriosis.”

Day 3:  What Not to Say to Childless Women

Social Media Photo Challenge

RESOLVE’s NIAW 2021 theme is #WhatIWantYouToKnow.  So, Jobi and I thought it prudent for we childless by infertility to share some of the unsolicited advice and insensitive comments we received throughout our journeys.  You can write out your “What Not to Say to Childless Women” and take a photo of the words only.  Or you can snap a selfie holding a sign with the “advice” you dislike the most.  Or you can like, comment, share…  Again, please just participate as you feel comfortable.

Virtual Event with Live Chat – 1:00 PM EDT on Childless Women Network

On today’s Tutum Talks, we’ll chat with Anne Brock, of Living in the Midst, who will discuss the importance of patient advocacy.  As someone recently diagnosed with endometriosis and adenomyosis, Anne has much insight about this important topic.

Day 4:  #WearOrange Day

Social Media Photo Challenge

Today, #OwningOurVoice is joining up with RESOLVE’s social media challenge, #WearOrange.  The Infertility Awareness Ribbon is orange, so each year, RESOLVE encourages us to rock our orange!  If you purchased a “This Shirt Fights Infertility” t-shirt from the Tutum Store, snap a selfie wearing it!  And if you’d like to purchase a “This Shirt Fights Infertility,” just click here.  Partial proceeds will benefit RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association.

Virtual Event with Live Chat – 1:00 PM EDT on Childless Women Network

And today’s Tutum Talks…  Well, we’ll be chatting with Jody Day, of Gateway Women, who will be discussing aging without children.  Jody is currently working on a new “Conscious Childless Elderwomen” project, so she has lots of expertise to share with us!

Day 5:  Understanding Male Infertility

Special Report

Infertility does not just affect women.  Yet, the male perspective is often lacking within our community’s discussions.  Jobi spoke with several childless by infertility men, who agreed to openly share their perspective.  One of those guys…  My husband, Dane.  I am so proud that Dane is boldly speaking his truth!  And I cannot wait to watch his interview with Jobi!

Virtual Event with Live Chat – 1:00 PM EDT on Childless Women Network

During today’s Tutum Talks, we speak with BonnieRuth Rolf, of Barren Not Broken, who discusses the effects of a childless marriage.  When I interviewed BonnieRuth, I found her so inspiring and empowering!  I think you will, too!

Day 6:  The olive green Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon Day

Social Media Photo Challenge

Wednesday’s #WearOrange for infertility and Friday’s #WearOlive for childlessness!  If you purchased an “I am not ashamed of my story…” shirt, snap a selfie and post it on social media!  Actually, if you’ve bought any CNBC Ribbon shirt from Shop The Ribbon, snap a selfie and post it!  And if you don’t have a shirt…  Rock any olive green and snap your selfie!  And if you haven’t already, add the “#OwningOurVoice” frame to your social media profile pic.  Just go to www.facebook.com/profilepicframes and search “Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon.”

*Learn more about the olive green Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon by clicking here…

Virtual Event with Live Chat – 1:00 PM EDT on Childless Women Network

I often assert, “I am childless, but I am NOT less!”  Lana Walker, of Worthy and Content, has a similar ethos, wanting to “help you feel better about childlessness.”  In today’s Tutum Talks, we discuss moving forward as more than childless…

Day 7:  Childless By Infertility Virtual Forum

LIVE Virtual Event – 1:00 PM EDT

To wrap up #OwningOurVoice during #NIAW2021, we are hosting a virtual forum.  This LIVE event will include an expert panel, featuring Barb Collura (President/CEO of RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association), Jody Day (Founder of Gateway Women), as well as an infertility psychotherapist, reproductive urologist, and reproductive endocrinologist.  After brief presentations from each panelist, there will be time for questions and answers.  This incredible online event will end with celebrity keynote speaker, Simone Edwards, a WNBA champion!

REGISTER for the Childless By Infertility Virtual Forum HERE!

*The Childless By Infertility Virtual Forum is a FREE event.  If you are able, please consider making a donation to RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association when you register.

More National Infertility Awareness Week Events…

More Photo Challenges

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association will host a 5-day photo challenge during #NIAW2021, too.

Virtual DIY Walks

Also, lots of Virtual Walks will be taking place.  One—the Michigan Walk of Hope—is led by Sue Johnston, of The In-Fertility Advocate.  As I mentioned in my first post about #OwningOurVoice, Sue always graciously includes the childless not by choice perspective.  In fact, she is going to include a photo of me and Maddie in the “Miracles” slideshow.  Every time I think of this, I smile and get tears in my eyes.  Because Maddie truly is my miracle!  Oh, that fur baby healed my heart…

And… Sue is going to include the Childless Not By Choice Awareness Ribbon in the “Reflections” slideshow.  I mean, how awesome is that?!  Truly, our CNBC voices are being heard!

If you’d like to support the Detroit, MI Walk of Hope, click here.  (Website sponsored by Classy)

You can also donate to Sue’s fundraising page by clicking here.

Some Final Thoughts…

You know, I think this week is going to be POWERFUL!  I mean, our entire infertility community is coming together–those who are parenting after infertility, those who are still in the midst of TTC, and those who are childless after their infertility battle.  What a strong dynamic, offering support no matter where you are on this journey!

I do hope you will join in this week.  Whether you post videos/photos, like, comment, share, watch virtual events, buy a shirt, donate to the Walk of Hope…  I truly want you to join me, Sue, Jobi, and all the other infertility warriors during #NIAW2021.  Let’s break the stigma and show the world that being childless by infertility is nothing to be ashamed of!

Follow Not So Mommy… on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated on #OwningOurVoice events during #NIAW2021!

Read more about #OwningOurVoice and #NIAW2021 by clicking the image below…

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Featured Photo:  Created by me, using Canva; Some graphics provided by RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association