Mommy Bloggers: In Praise of Cooper and Emily

This week we are proud to introduce you to two amazing women who rock the blogosphere. Cooper Munroe and Emily McKhann created their popular blog Been There in November, 2004, and haven't looked back. With insightful entries on everything from parenting to politics, Been There is a treasure trove of fantastic writing.

Cooper is currently a contributing writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Dot Moms as well as a contributing blogger at MomsRising.org.

In addition to her blogging at Been There and the Been There Clearinghouse, Emily's last book, Living With the End in Mind was featured on numerous television programs, including 20/20 and Oprah.

When Hurricane Katrina struck, Cooper and Emily watched in horror with the rest of the country. Determined to help, they turned their blog into a grassroots clearinghouse for needed goods. News of this effort spread like wildfire, and overnight, their site received a huge flood of traffic. With volunteer help and gumption to spare, Cooper and Emily moved the clearinghouse to a new domain, and kept the flow of goods moving.

With six children and several hundred miles between them, Cooper and Emily are shining examples of how Mommybloggers not only rock the cradle, but can affect real change in the world, right from their own kitchen tables.

We adore their down-to-earth writing styles and sharp, fresh takes on what it means to be a mother in this day and age. We're not the only ones... we put out a call to a few of Been There's fans. Here's what they had to say about this week's guests:

Cynthia Samuels of Don’t Gel Too Soon remarks on Cooper and Emily's knack for capturing the little things:

Emily and Cooper are great writers and observers of life. But they don’t just observe – they have set an example for all of us by acting --- changing and enhancing the lives of so very many people who fell into the path of Hurricane Katrina. Having met Cooper, I can attest to the sincerity and lack of grandiosity behind what they’ve done. Probably their open, caring and pragmatic outreach accounts for their success. Creative, loving, enthusiastic and resourceful, they have proven once and for all that blogs can be so much more than what Guy Kawasaki calls (jokingly) “Someone with nothing to say writing for someone with nothing to do.�? I love sharing their thoughts and experiences and have come to love them, too.

Becki Fadel King of Cooking with Whine gets right to the heart of Cooper and Emily's appeal:

I would have responded sooner, but I was having trouble quantifying just what I love about Cooper and Emily. I guess what it boils down to is this: they're women you'd pick for next-door neighbors, the kind that you'd have over for coffee anytime, because you know they wouldn't say anything about your house being a mess. They're smart without being smug, fun without being frivolous, and they don't take their blessings for granted. They seem to have the radical attitude that if anyone is suffering or struggling, we've got to do what we can to help, just because we can. And they somehow manage this without being preachy or self-congratulatory. Part of what makes them so fabulous is that they genuinely don't think they're being fabulous. They're just being themselves.

Oh, and they're damn fine writers, too. Can't forget about that part.

Pierre from MetroDad sums it up brilliantly, as usual:

Many of you know Emily and Cooper from the Been There Clearing House, their amazing volunteer project aimed at helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. What they have accomplished out of the goodness of their hearts is a great testament to the faith and charity of the human spirit. Through no small effort, they mobilized the blogging community and empowered us to not only help people during a time of need but also to make personal connections with some of the victims. I continue to be amazed (and humbled) by their enormous generosity and commitment.
However, anybody who knows Cooper or Emily should not be surprised. I’ve been fans of their blog since the very first day they started. And as anyone who has ever read their site knows, the one thing that immediately strikes you is the fact that they are such good people. I absolutely adore both of them because they’re completely genuine and SO DAMN NICE! Seriously. Cooper and I often e-mail back and forth and I’m always struck by how sincere she is. She even makes an urban cynic like me want to be a better person. We’ve been trying to meet up when she comes up to NYC. I’d love to sit down with her over some coffee and figure out how she manages a career, her volunteer work, and a minivan full of kids! If you’re not reading the writings of these two cool and talented women, you absolutely should be!

Check back later this afternoon as we chat with Cooper and Emily! You won't want to miss this one!

In Praise of Cooper and Emily

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