A group of Triangle-area moms has formed a local chapter of Moms Rising, a national nonpartisan organization that lobbies for kids and families, particularly better wages, benefits and leave policies for working parents.

Beth Messersmith (mom of an almost three-year-old boy and a baby girl on the way) said women in the Triangle had joined the national organization, but weren't connected on the local level. They started talking about a local group last year after meeting up in Raleigh to protest President Bush's veto of a children's health plan.

Since then, several have hosted house parties to show "The Motherhood Manifesto," a documentary about discrimination mothers face and the differences between what's offered to them in other industrial countries and the United States. With the help of Kids Connect, they are working on local service projects. This month, they plan to "harvest glean" - picking produce that's left in farm fields to give to the hungry.

This Sunday, the group is offering free advocacy training for moms. With the help of Democracy North Carolina, the group will learn about effective citizen advocacy such as how to make an effective phone call to a legislator or how to write a letter to the editor. 

They also will talk about a lobby day that they have planned for sometime in June when they want to meet with legislators about issues they're pushing (something they also plan on sorting out on Sunday).

And, of course, lobby day will end with a playdate over at Marbles Kids Museum. 

If you want to learn more about the group, check out the Web site or e-mail momsrisingtriangle@earthlink.net.

Go here for more details on Sunday's meeting.