It all began with a simple gesture. A neighbor shared a photo of a handwritten sign she discovered in our community, saying, “Emily, you might appreciate this. Perhaps you could recreate these!” 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
- And Kindness is Everything
I was struck by the clarity and strength of these messages. Each statement, rather than competing, reinforced a collective sentiment: the urgent need to advocate for humanity, respect, and kindness.
As someone who works in publishing, I’m fortunate to know many talented artists and designers. On a whim, I shared the image of the sign on my social media, seeking anyone willing to lend their design skills pro bono. My friend and talented designer, Sarah Lane, eagerly took on the project and soon crafted an incredible visual representation.
Another friend, Lisa Thompson, stepped up to assist with logistics, figuring out how we could produce the signs and spread the word. To clarify, the original wording and concept weren’t mine; I merely reached out to those I knew for support. With full-time jobs, children, and various commitments, none of us were looking for a side project. Instead, we each contributed our strengths to bring this vision to life.
Within minutes of sharing the design in our community group, it went viral. One image alone garnered over 30,000 shares, and our inboxes were inundated with inquiries about how to obtain the signs.
Through this process, we connected with the original creator, another mother from Madison named Amanda Wells. We sought her permission to continue promoting her message for good, and she graciously agreed. From the outset, we made it clear that we would never profit from her words but rather use them to promote the causes they represented.
Before we launched the project, Lisa, Sarah, and I agreed that our aim was not merely to create slogans but to generate tangible support for organizations that defend these values. So far, we have raised over $7,000 for the ACLU through sign sales in our area. We’ve heard of other groups across the nation creating similar signs, including a small café in Denver that distributed them for free and a group in Northern California that raised nearly $2,000 for the ACLU.
A quick search on Instagram for #kindnessiseverything reveals signs across the country, from Los Angeles to Miami. Notably, musician Jake Taylor shared a photo of the sign in his parents’ yard, and it gave us chills. One woman from Grand Rapids mentioned that after someone noticed her sign, they left her a bag of coffee with a note expressing gratitude for the hope the sign provided during challenging times.
After a couple of months of dedicating four to six hours daily to respond to inquiries about the signs, we decided to entrust the design to an organization that could continue the work while allowing us to return to our busy lives. We donated it to the Wisconsin Alliance for Women’s Health, understanding the crucial role women’s health plays in our community. To date, they’ve raised $4,000 through the sale of signs and shirts for the women’s marches.
The reason I share this story frequently is that it exemplifies the power of collaboration. We are just four women, most of us mothers, with full-time jobs. Yet, united by a common purpose, we achieved far more collectively than we could have as individuals.
These signs are indeed making an impact. We’ve received numerous requests to expand the messages to include other important topics, such as environmentalism and religious freedom. This is the beauty of the movement: it encourages us to think about how we can broaden our reach and include those who have been marginalized.
These signs inspire us to embrace the “and.” They challenge us to invest our talents, time, and abilities to not only improve our circumstances but also to create positive change.
To stay updated on this project, follow us on Facebook at Kindness is Everything. To purchase a sign (with all proceeds benefiting charity), visit our shop at www.cafepress.com/thekindnessshop.
In summary, a group of dedicated mothers turned a simple sign into a nationwide movement promoting kindness and advocacy for critical social issues. By collaborating and pooling their resources, they demonstrated how collective action can lead to tangible change in their communities. For more information on related topics, visit our other posts about fertility and pregnancy resources.