World Moms Blog has a long history of advocating for global vaccinations with the UN Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign, and we are honored to host a post for their #Blogust campaign going on this month! The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness for vaccinations for the children who need them most. Every comment on this post will unlock one donated vaccine for a child. And don’t stop there — every social media share counts, too! You can visit all the posts in the relay at www.blogust.org.
So, tell me now, have you ever experienced any “firsts” growing up that were better than you ever expected or were highly impressionable on who you are today? Many highly anticipated first experiences often come and go forgotten or don’t really mean anything today in retrospect, right? But, here’s a story of one first in my life that made an impact, and I admit to even going back for more! It’s not chocolate, but could have been chocolate, but no, it wasn’t.
Ok, here goes…My age was only 14. I boarded a big yellow school bus to travel to the great big city to my first international summit. And I left with a new perspective on what one person, one child, in fact, could have on the world. This is the story of my first trip to the UN in New York city and how I wound up there as a teenager…
Growing up on the Atlantic coast in New Jersey, USA, it’s common to spend many days on the beautiful sandy shores of my home state and playing in the surf. What was not to love back then?
The pollution, that’s what.
Back in the 1990s, plastic bags, straws, cans, plastic tampon applicators, you name it — all washed up on our beaches. Beaches were closed after hypodermic needles arrived on our shores with other hospital waste. We were swimming in this dangerous mess, and as a species, we were not only endangering our fellow humans, but recklessly damaging a habitat that marine life called home.
The pollution and lack of empathy to preserve our planet drove me nuts!
So, as a teenager I wound up joining a local environmental advocacy group to help raise awareness about the importance to keep our oceans clean and attended their beach clean ups. At a meeting back in 1990 they gave us the news that the UN would be hosting an environmental summit for youth in New York City. I had to go — the UN! The environment!! Yes!!!
I took the information about the youth summit to my high school principal and made the case that our school should be represented. On the day of the summit, my school, Brick Memorial High School, had a delegation en route with our amazing science teacher, Mrs. Kingman.
We were wide-eyed while entering the famous main UN room with seats and labels for delegations from each country. It was a place where decisions were made on human rights, trade, embargos, and we sat down and took to playing with the microphone systems (so hard to resist!). We looked around at all the other students, both, similar and different to us. We didn’t know what to expect from the event, and as it got started, out came speaker after speaker — all kids like us, at the time, from around the world. They spoke of environmental issues affecting the areas they lived in and what was needed or what they were doing to make a difference.
At the UN’s environmental youth summit in the 1990s.
Back in the early 1990s at the UN youth environmental summit, one boy in particular — I remember him being younger than me at the time, maybe 12 years old? maybe younger? — gave a presentation on how the lives of sea turtles in Florida were becoming threatened. He, on his own, was responsible for saving the lives of thousands of babies by protecting their nests and helping the hatchlings out to sea. Our delegation went from wide-eyed to teary eyed. He brought the house down in applause and pride for our fellow youth. That moment engrained in me of how one person, regardless of age, can make an impact on the planet. He was an inspiration.
My first experience at the UN was definitely one that was positive and inspiring — a big realization that we were all players in a world much larger than our own hometowns. And kids could make change, too! They were even already doing it. This mindset is something that inspired me as a kid and will continue to impact how I raise my young daughters today and in the future.
As a part of World Moms Blog, I still jump on the opportunity to head to the UN when we’re invited to report, especially around the UN General Summit & Social Good Summit and for the annual State of the World’s Mother’s Report. We have become our own “United Nations” of moms, here! And additionally, in 2012 when I was asked to be part of a UN Foundation delegation to Uganda with Shot@Life, I was honored to answer the call, too, with the same 14-year old excitement I had when attending the environmental youth summit back in the early 90s. Which brings me back full circle for the purpose of this post…
Elizabeth, a volunteer health worker in Fort Portal, Uganda with World Moms Blog Founder, Jennifer Burden on a Shot@Life trip October 2012.
While in Uganda with Shot@Life, I witnessed children receiving life-saving vaccinations at UNICEF’s Family Health Days around the country. We sat under shady trees and spoke with mothers who wanted the same for their children: good health and an education. We played with lots of children, knowing that because they were being vaccinated against measles, pneumonia, rotavirus and polio (the four deadliest killers of children under 5) that they had a healthier shot at living past their fifth birthday and experiencing more “firsts.”
There is no doubt in my mind that life-saving vaccines are needed in the world.
Every 20 seconds a child dies from a disease that could have been prevented through immunization, which is an inexpensive global health solution to save lives. Healthcare in far to reach or developing areas can be ineffective at keeping a child alive in the event of severe diarrhea or pneumonia. A vaccination can work as a shield to protect a child from even contracting these diseases in the first place.
Today, and all this month, you have the unique opportunity to comment on #Blogust posts and help save lives. Walgreens will donate one vaccine to a child who needs it most in response to your comment on this post, those on all the #Blogust posts this month, as well as, any social media shares.
Please, give more children the chance to live past their 5th birthday, the chance to attend a global youth summit, the chance to single-handedly save marine life, the chance to make a positive impact on animal life and on others, the chance to ride a bus to the UN, the chance to live and be a kid. Join me in being a game changer. Help start the conversation to unlock life-saving immunizations!
During Shot@Life’s Blogust 2014—a month-long blog relay—some of North America’s most beloved online writers, photo and video bloggers and Shot@Life Champions will come together and share stories about Happy and Healthy Firsts. Every time you comment on this post and other Blogust contributions, or share them via social media on this website, Shot@Life and the United Nations Foundation pages, Walgreens will donate one vaccine (up to 60,000). Blogust is one part an overall commitment of Walgreens donating up to $1 million through its “Get a Shot. Give a Shot.” campaign. The campaign will help provide millions of vaccines for children in need around the world.
Sign up here for a daily email so you can quickly and easily comment and share every day during Blogust! For more information, visit shotatlife.org or join the conversation on Facebook and Twitter.
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by founder, Jennifer Burden, of New Jersey, USA.
Photo credits to the author.
Jennifer Burden
Jennifer Burden is the Founder and CEO of World Moms Network, an award winning website on global motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. World Moms Network currently writes from over 30 countries, has over 70 contributors, is a volunteer effort and was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 and 2013." Also in 2013, World Moms Blog was called a "must read" by The New York Times Motherlode, and was recommended by The Times of India. Jennifer is the stay-at-home mother to two young girls and an advocate for ONE Girls and Women. She was also a member of a delegation to Uganda to view UNICEF's family health programs with Shot@Life in 2012 and a UN Foundation "Global Influencer Fellow" in 2013. In 2014 she was a UN Foundation "Social Media Fellow", attended the Americares Airlift to Nicaragua on behalf of Cognizant, participated in the first AYA Summit and was invited by the World Bank to Washington, DC to report on their global Civil Society Meetings. Jennifer also co-created the #Moms4MDGs twitter campaign that extended from July 2013 to March 2014 to raise awareness on all 8 of the UN's Millennium Development Goals to help eradicate extreme poverty. Her writing has been featured by Baby Center, Huffington Post, ONE.org, the UN Foundation's Shot@Life and The Gates Foundation's "Impatient Optimists." Jennifer can be found on Twitter @JenniferBurden.
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Thanks!
Thank YOU, Nancy — that’s one more vaccine for a child who needs it most!
Jen, for some reason I couldn’t post a new comment, but it’s allowed me to “reply” and I’ve shared this post on Facebook. I hope it helps! Thank you for all that you do!
Great cause! Please support children vaccines!
You got it! Thank you for leaving a comment to help save a child’s life!
Commenting for a vaccine!
Woohoo!
Thanks for sharing such a positive and important experience in your life … and especially for supporting the SHOT@LIFE vaccination campaign through Blogust 2014.
Thank you, Linda! And thank you for helping us unlock life-saving vaccines for kids!
Such a cool “first” – I can only imagine a teenager’s view of the UN the first time!! Thanks for sharing your experience!
I definitely hit up the gift shop and decked out my room at home in UN posters back then! 😉
You are so inspirational to all that meet you!! Great post and keep spreading the good word!! xooxo
Likewise, Sarah! Thank you for your ongoing support and friendship! 🙂
Such a beautiful story about realizing how one person can help change this world for the better! Thanks for sharing your story!
Thank you, my cousin! I appreciate you stopping by here! 🙂
Here is a story about the young Jenn, already planning to be a world changer! You are just amazing and your voice for social good just grows and grows … your passion inspires so many people and your drive and verve to get the word out and make a difference in the world just lights up a bazillion lives!!! You go girl — proud to stand alongside you, and honored to be a writer for World Moms Blog – thank YOU!
So proud to have YOU as a write for World Moms Blog. I am so not in this along, you and our contributors are total game changers!! Let’s do this!!
Jen 🙂
My first experience in contributing to a socially good endeavour was with world moms blog, when we shot the documentary about the importance of immunisations for infants. It was a life changing event and life took on a different turn after that.
I love your post and especially that pic of a 14 year old you.
You have done so much since then — Chicago for BlogHer International Activist and Brazil for the International Reporting Project. I am sooooo grateful that you got your start, here, on World Moms Blog. That means the WORLD, Purnima!!
Yes, the ‘world’ for me too, Jen 🙂
Wow – what a story! You really turned a passion into a mission. We need more like you out there carrying the message that all children deserve to grow up happy and healthy. And if giving one vaccine to one child will help achieve that goal – well, why not!!
Thank you, Delores! We can all feel like Oprah today thanks to Walgreens — “You get a vaccine! You get a vaccine! Everybody gets a vaccine! ” Thank you for being part of this!
What an incredible opportunity you had at such an impressionable age! I hope many are inspires by what you do to bring awareness and a helping hand.
Thank you, Beth. I love that the there are so many more opportunities for children today to get involved like this, such as GirlUp. I hope when my kids grow up they will be all over this!! And, here’s to one more vaccine!
Thanks Jen! Every child, every where, deserves a lifetime of firsts!
You got it, and I know, you know it!! Let’s do this!
Thank you, Myrdin — so inspired by your recent gigantic climb!
Just love the post Jen! You were born to be an advocate and change the world!
And, you are one of my super friends in this world!! I can’t wait to read your Blogust post, Nicole. I live vicariously through all of your social good trips. You are amazing!!
Better than chocolate!!! 😉
You know it!! 🙂 Although, now I want to have some chocolate!
Thank you for the opportunity, Chrysula!
Thanks for such a wonderful post!
Thank you for coming by to read and comment! Every comment counts, and we’ve just unlocked another vaccine for a child who needs it most! Yeah!!
Life saving immunization & vaccination in far to reach & developing region
could be an affordable & inexpensive global health solution to save lives
from preventable diseases.Healthy & vaccinated childhood could ensure healthy biological future life & its healthy integration with human sustainable environment.Sustainable environment is basic life source of
human ecosystem & human habitat.Addressed @WorldMomsBlog & #Moms4MDGs at SocialGoodSummit2013/14 @plus_socialgood.
Ref- #Blogust -A first schooltrip to the UN.
Thank you for stopping by — one more vaccine for a child who needs it most — unlocked!
Thanks for sharing this memorable first Jen! I’m proud to be a supporter
of Shot@Life and always inspeies by the good work you are doing for others.
I am so grateful for your Shot@Life support — you were there from the first party! Thank you, Mandy!!!
Jen 🙂
Thanks for sharing and inspiring! I read this post to my little ladies…Alisa’s comment….”So you don’t have to wait for an adult to make a group to do something good?” Who knows, maybe Alisa will start something for herself. 😉 Again, thanks for sharing.
THIS!!!!!!! My most favorite comment, EVER!! Thank you for sharing with your daughter. I know Alisa will and I can’t wait to see her run with her future!!
Thank you! Brilliant story.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Emma!
Thank you Jennifer for being the inspirational person that you are, and thank you Walgreens for the kind of public private partnership to help those in need. The world needs more of both of you!
And more of you, too, Dee!! I remember getting the e-mail from you requesting to write for World Moms Blog. I was thinking, “SHE wants to write for US? YES!!!” It’s been so fun every since!!
Here’s to many firsts for children who may not otherwise have them without a lifesaving vaccine. Great post!;)
Hi Meredith!!
You rock — thank you for your shares and comments!! I am so excited you are a part of World Moms Blog and look forward to your awesome post next week!!
Jen 🙂
It’s hard to avoid clichés when commenting on the welfare of children. So many words, so little action. If he world will not care about its children what on earth can it possibly care about?
Inspirational. Every. child. should. have. a shot@life!
Thank you, Becky!!! And, yes to more Shots@Life for kids!!!
What an amazing experience! Thank you for sharing and moreover thank you for supporting this great initiative!
Thank you, Leanna! And thank you for the support from Multicultural Kid Blogs!! You all rock!!
Thank you for such an inspiring post!
Thank you so much! 1 more vaccine unlocked!
When I started working, I “befriended” a homeless guy. He called himself Attila. I used to chat with him every day coming back from work, give him a little money, exchange a few stories. Sometimes, I would sit on his bench and we would joke around. In those days, I used to think that there was not much I could do for him. But as I am growing wiser, I am realizing that it was Attila who helped me. He taught me that sometimes, making a difference is as simple as a smile, a look, an acknowledgement. So let me take this opportunity to thank Attila for allowing me to sit with him.
Nadege,
Your story is beautiful. Thank you for sharing it! Great to catch up with you recently!
Amazing to see what you do and how long you’ve been doing it! Honoured to *walk with you* on this #Blogust campaign.
Same here, Heather! Honored to walk with YOU! Let’s do this!
Amazing article, so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story!
Thank you, Kathy! I’m excited we’re unlocking so many vaccines together this month!!
Nice article!
Bri!!! Thanks for commenting!
Jen, your story of how you came into activism is wonderful! So is the hair…love it.
Morra
That’s the toned down version of the hair! lol Thanks, Morra!
TFS such enthusiasm and inspiration!
Thank you, Diane!
Great post Jen! Here’s to firsts and helping give these beautiful children a Shot@Life!
Amy,
Thank you, too, for championing Shot@Life! You rock!
Great story Jen! The photos of your engagement with the work reveal the same glow in your face now as when you were 14. Keep up the good work!
That is such an nice thing to say. Thank you!!! 🙂
Keep inspiring us Jen! Great work!
Keep building schools, Alison!!! You and Mom2Mom Africa are AMAZING!!!
One person. one child, can change the world. Thank you for sharing your story. Here’s to many more vaccines!
Vanessa,
Thank you sooo much for your support today! I appreciate it!
Thanks for sharing your memories. Thanks, Walgreens, for supporting children’s health around the world through vaccination.
Thank you, Liz. Here’s to one more vaccination for a child who needs it most!
You are so awesome. When I grow up I want to be like you. Wait…I’m 55! Well, you know what I mean. WOW.
Cathy,
You crack me up!!! You are doing the same stuff!!
Jen 🙂
So glad that World Moms Blog could participate in #Blogust – thank you Jen!
Thank you, Eva. Thank you for supporting #Blogust and thank you for being a part of World Moms Blog Senior editing!!
Wonderful post – so inspiring. Thank you!
Fantastic Jen! I love hearing about the seeds that were planted way back when, and look at you now! You are amazing!
You are among the amazing women on the planet, Elizabeth — so amazing what you got started with Alex & Ani and ONE. Incredible!!!
+1 for vaccines!
Thank you!! That’s awesome!
Thanks for sharing this piece for blogust! And thanks for all your work for mothers and human rights around the world–I’m a big fan of World Moms Blog 🙂 Keep being awesome!
Thank you, Emily!! It is really great to hear that you’re a big fan of World Moms Blog!
Commenting, of course! Such an interesting post, so happy that we made the blogust! We’re awesome.
Thank you, Olga!! Thank you for all your sharing today. You rock!!
Heartfelt thanks Jennifer for sharing experiences of great journey with UN to fulfill the great mission to save lives.Your tireless effort for future generations is remarkable.Keep up your great work.wishing more success.
Nili,
Thank you for your amazing tweeting today, and all along. You are very passionate about social good, and it has not gone unnoticed! 🙂
Thanks for your kind words. Together for social good. Keep in touch. Cheers! Nili
Great post! Thanks for sharing1
Thank you, Mahnee! I more vaccine donated — woohoo!
Look at you! Sharing your passionate voice from the get go!!!
So proud of you! 🙂
Kelly,
Thank you, that means a lot coming from such a special friend!! I was thinking of you because I made an eggplant parm the other night. I remember us talking last September over making one!!
Jen 🙂
Such an inspiring post reminding us that everyone can find their passion and make a difference.
Thank you! Yes, I truly believe that! 🙂 1 more vaccine!
I always knew that you were born to be an advocate for a greater good to people, Jen!!!
Thank you, Ewa!
I’m sorry we didn’t get to meet in Cali, like we planned. It will happen!! You have been such a great part of World Moms Blog!!
Great post, great story, great WMB leader making a difference!!!
Thank you for all your sharing today, Tara!! You’ve always got World Moms Blog’s back! And today, vaccines for kids!!
Thanks for raising the awareness of this. Every child deserves a Shot@Life – and then some!
Agreed! Let’s do this!! Thank you for coming by to donate a comment!!
What an inspiration you are, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing your wonderful story of your opportunity and your “first”. I’m always amazed by how some of the smallest acts can have the largest impacts.
Hi Sheila!!
Thank you for commenting and tweeting! I really appreciate it, and I’m so happy you’re supporting Shot@Life today and vaccines for kids!
You are the best Jen. Thanks for all you do to make kids healthier!
No, you’re the best!! Well done on all the new nurse midwives you’ve trained this year, Kristyn. They are probably delivering babies safely right now as I type. All because of YOU!! Thank you for supporting vaccines today, too!!
Vaccinations should be a matter of right for all people. Drug companies that have made back their R&D money and millions in profits besides, should be practically giving these shots away to help humanity instead of their bottom line.
Vaccines are so important for the health of children, especially those that do not have access to good health care. Here’s to another vaccine unlocked! Yeah!
Thanks Walgreens! Vaccines save
Right on! So glad to see so many supporting this important global health issue! Thank you!
What a terrific way to increase health!
Yes, one great solution that works well in tandem with others, like clean water!
Thank you for commenting to unlock another vaccine!
You never cease to amaze me! A true hero and champion for all!
I will never forget what you did for kids after Hurricane Sandy — you are a champion, too!!!
Thank you for your great work for such a great cause!
Thank you for reading and commenting to unlock a vaccine for a child who needs it most!
Thanks on the great work you are doing and best of luck reaching the 60,000 free vaccines!
We’re almost half way there, with 1/2 a month to go — we will do it!! Thank you for your help by commenting here!
Great post, thank you! And one more vaccine!
Yes, and one more vaccine — thank you!
For the children! Thank you Walgreens and thank you Blogust.
And thank you to you for commenting to unlock a vaccine! 🙂
Great post. Great photo;-). Great cause!
Thank you, Steve!!! 🙂
What a great thing!!
Thank you for commenting and unlocking another life-saving vaccine for a child!
For a child’s vaccine
Thank you for commenting to unlock another vaccine to help save the life of a child!
Great post !
Thank you for commenting for 1 more vaccine for a child!
Keep it up Jen!
Thank you, Lourdes! I miss you! 🙂
What an incredible story Jen! Your passion is contagious! Sophie and Jessica (and myself) are so lucky to have you as a role model. So proud of you!
You are too sweet, cuz! Thank you for commenting! 🙂
Awesome story. Awesome project.
Thank you for commenting for one more vaccine!
Beautiful and inspiring Jen. yes, let do this because all the children deserve a Shot to live!
Yes, Felisa! I’ve been following photos of your recent social good trip. I can’t wait to read more about it!!
Great cause
Thank you for coming by to comment to help save a child’s life!
Excellent post again Jen. Didn’t realise that you went to the UN from school. I now know the significance of the picture of a young Jen!
LOL! Yes, I was lucky that late the night before I found the photo album with those pictures in it from high school. Thank you, Julie, for sharing and commenting to help unlock vaccines for kids!
Jen 🙂
Jen you are amazing! Vaccines for every child!
Thank you for coming by to unlock a vaccine, Nishita!! Awesome!!!
Let’s make vaccinations happen!
Yes! Thank you for unlocking a vaccine!
I always love hearing how some incident or activity or action that we experienced as kids ended up impacting us so profoundly as to define who we are as adults. How wonderful that from adversity came this incredible commitment of yours. Thanks for supporting a great effort!
Thank you! I’m excited to be championing this effort with you!
Jen 🙂
I hope more kids receive vaccines. Great cause to support! Thank you, Jennifer!
Thank you, Galina! Let’s do this!!
A brilliant post for a BRILLIANT cause!
Strangely-my experience also took place when I was 14. The music and theatre groups from my school went on an exchange trip to West Berlin, Germany. It was an experience that changed my world view forever! The level of music and knowledge of foreign languages was exceptionally high and teens in Berlin seemed much more socially and politically aware than us.
I’m a Brit by the way!
As a result of this experience I spent my gap year in Berlin before going to university. I learnt fluent German, continued my studies in music and best of all hung out with some of the teens I’d met 4 years earlier!
A great experience!
🙂
How interesting, Ann Marie — I love getting to know your better through World Moms Blog!!!
I am not sure how it works that for every comment, Walgreen will donate vaccines for much needed children…but if they are actually doing it, I think that that is wonderful. To you Jennifer, thank you for being the backbone to this wonderful cause. I have here in the USA a large family….I will share this page with them and encourage them to write a comment so there can be more vaccines available for all those children that are in need of one. Keep up the good job.
Martha,
Thank you for sharing! And, yes, they really ARE donating a vaccine for every comment on a #Blogust post. Our team has over 40,000 vaccines donated and counting this week!!
I really appreciate you stopping by to comment for kids!!
Thank you for making a difference!
Thank you for stopping by to comment for a child!!
Jen – your face hasn’t changed a bit from the 14 year old photo (the “Jersey” hair is another story – LOL!) I love this post, both to learn a little bit more about you, and because you have brought so much awareness about such an important global issue! 🙂
Maman Aya,
Thank you!!! I am so glad that you are a part of World Moms Blog, and you have become like an old friend over the many years — I am so grateful!!
Thank you Walgreens for supporting such an important, global cause! Great post, too Jen! Nice to know where it all began for you!
Thank you, Lyssa!!
I am so happy to know you through Shot@Life over the years!! You are great!!
Great post Jen. So proud of you.
Thank YOU, Mom!!!!!!
I love how this post represents the journey to finding your voice!
Thank you, and especially thank you for all of your organizing, Elena!!
So glad I got to experience Uganda with you!
Me, too!! What a great life moment we went through together for the sake of children!!!
Thanks for sharing your story and inspiring so many! Smiles!
Lorraine,
That is so sweet. Thank you!!
What an inspirational story.
Thank you, Phoebe — thank you for commenting to help a child!!
Loved reading your story.
Thank you! And thank you for commenting to unlock a vaccine!
Wide eyed to teary-eyed is a great way to start a journey of compassion 🙂
One of my social good besties!!!
God Bless you for what you are doing!
Thank you for leaving a comment to help save a child’s life!
You were born with a remarkable sense of the universe. Reading your post and seeing the photos and “hearing” your voice as you continue your humanitarian efforts is like watching a documentary – a powerful documentary. Thank you for your “first” and your “forever” passion and drive, and thank you for #Blogust.
Thank you! These are some wonderful examples of making a difference!
Thank you, Pam! We’re one vaccine closer!
Lovely post, dear friend! So glad to see you as a Blogust blogger this year. Hope all is well!
Thank you, Caroline!!
Thanks for sharing, Jen! You are always an inspiration. 🙂
Love this so much. thank you for sharing!
What an amazing story of your passion even at that young age! I love that you have this ‘in your blood’ so to say… it shows! What a great mission and cause to embrace and be a part of- as your comment says it all:
“Every 20 seconds a child dies from a disease that could have been prevented through immunization, which is an inexpensive global health solution to save lives.”
Wow.
What a fabulous first to recall! I remember the first time I went to visit the UN as a child. I was so completely overwhelmed by being in a place where the world gets together to tackle important issues and look forward to attending this year’s Social Good Summit as a UN Fellow! Thank you for recalling your first visit there in honor of Blogust!