Librarians, public and law, hear a lot of people complaining about their own or their community’s problems, but few who want to take the next step, or the next, or the next. But some do – and some are downright amazing. It’s hard to take on the system, city hall, and even harder to change legislation. A story a couple of weeks ago by Su-Jin Yim in the September 27th, 2007 Oregonian, “Two Tough Moms,” was one of those stories, about two people who went from knowing nothing about lawmaking to becoming informed and outspoken citizens – and went on to change the world.
‘A few years ago, neighbors Pauline McGuire and Julie Volpel were doing what moms do. Juggling kids’ schedules and work. Caring for elderly parents. Creating a patchwork of family life and community work that underpins all of American society.


