NZ's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is Changing the Game
In commemoration of the International Women's Month this March, Sleepless Momma proudly begins this series of features celebrating the most inspiring mothers of our generation. For this feature, we break down the 5 ways we relate to this cover momma on a truly maternal level. Let us begin with the mom on the global spotlight: Jacinda Ardern.
1. A Momma's Gotta Do What She's Gotta Do - Super Relateable
I first heard about New Zealand's Prime Minister when she made headlines by bringing her baby, Neve, to the UN Assembly in 2018.
This pictured moment made history when Ardern became the first female world leader to attend the prestigious United Nations general assembly with a baby in tow. At this point, if you're anything like me, you may already be squealing at how adorable baby Neve is, but the amazingness doesn't stop there as PM Ardern - being the awesome momma that she already is - also had to nurse baby Neve and change her nappies while in the assembly—and it honestly doesn't get more real than that. Can I also just mention the presence of PM Ardern's partner, Clarke Gayford, who's actually baby Neve's primary carer (!) Daddy deserves a feature story of his own 👏
Asked by the Today show on the US NBC network if it was harder to govern New Zealand or take her daughter on a 17-hour flight, Ardern responded with a laugh and said “It felt at the time on par” and said she had apologised to her fellow passengers in advance. - The Guardian
A lot of women all over the world are now blessed with the opportunity to bring their babies to work, thus allowing them more flexibility in being hands-on mothers and thriving career-women at the same time. However, Ardern's maternal image at the UN assembly is a next level affirmation of the need to normalize this practice in the workplace. Her influence as a mother with global clout and authority gives moms all over the world an avenue to make their needs seen. Ardern admits that while she's blessed to be able to bring her child to work, not many places in the world permits that; and that her circumstances just so happened to be exceptional at this point that's why she's able to be the kind of mother she's always wanted for baby Neve and be New Zealand's Prime Minister at the same time. "I have the ability to take my child to work, there’s not many places you can do that. I am not the gold standard for bringing up a child in this current environment because there are things about my circumstances that are not the same [...] If I can do one thing, and that is change the way we think about these things, then I will be pleased we have achieved something," The Mirror quotes Ardern saying.
2. She's Not Afraid to Make Big Life Decisions and Owns Them
Being raised a Mormon in a conservative family has affected how she was seen as a peer. "It was how my friends identified me. I was both Mormon and the sober driver—that was the benefit they saw from my [church] membership," she's quoted saying in an interview with Times in 2017. But growing up, Ardern credits her conservative upbringing on how she sees people's diverse perspectives as a good thing. However, as she matured and got to have a hand at how she led her life, she was fearless at acknowledging the things she believed in and honest at identifying ideals she's willing to turn her back on. In 2005, Ardern left The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because of its stance on the LGBT community and has since then referred to her spiritual beliefs as agnostic according to The Herald.
"I have a real respect for people who have religion as a foundation in their lives. And I respect people who don’t [...] I just think people should be free to have their personal beliefs and not be persecuted for it, whether they be atheist or staunch church members." The New Zealand Herald
Having to turn your back on something you grew up believing in is an enormous mental and spiritual feat to accomplish. Ardern's persistence in living according to her beliefs and virtues - no matter how different these are to her own family's opinion - shows us how tough a momma she truly is. She may not be a mother to Neve yet when she made those decisions, but can you just imagine the things Neve can learn from the toughness of the decisions her mother had to do? Can you just imagine the wisdom a kid like her could get from looking up to a momma who is unafraid to really stand by her virtues and her belief system that all revolve around respecting people from all walks of life and treating everybody with unadulterated love and kindness regardless of their religious beliefs and affiliations? Neve is #BLESSED.
3. She's Unapologetically Simple
Ardern considers herself a small-town girl having to grow up in Murupara, in New Zealand's northern island, which to her is "a town famous for the Tribesmen gang and little else" cites The Herald. Just like a lot of us, Ardern grew up having to get used to awkward social situations as she considers herself an "acceptable nerd" in high school. Her passion for dialogue started early on and she was so passionate about debating she actually wanted it to be as huge a sport as rugby according to her interview with The Herald—momma, you're a total geek! I can just imagine popular guys and girls in that school looking at her like she's nobody, unassuming of the greatness of the future that's actually ahead of her. She openly talks about these things in press and actually takes pride in the simplicity of her upbringing as it allowed her to develop a more down-to-earth approach in politics.
4. She's Non-conforming and Acknowledges Her Own Pace at Life
Ardern, a proud feminist, has always been vocal about her views on marriage and starting a family. While now being in a long-time relationship and shares a child with partner Clarke Gayford, Ardern isn't rushing into marriage. A lot of press people have been dragged after asking the Prime Minister about her plans to settle down, which - whether in a feminist context or not - is a sensitive question to ask any woman, and should always be delivered with caution. In a recent interview with BBC, Ardern was asked if—as a feminist—she ever sees herself as someone who'll drop to one knee and propose to her partner.
"No, I would not ask, no [...] Absolutely I'm a feminist, But no, I want to put him through the pain and torture of having to agonize about that question himself." Now to Love
As a woman of stature and influence, Ardern's contemporary views on marriage and family paves the way for a more open outlook about women's choices. Young girls all over the world can look up to this woman and see that it is possible to really go after what you love doing, excel in it, while wanting a family, and having a say regarding the necessity of marriage. If anything, Ardern and Gayford's regard for each other assures the world of how confident they are of their relationship and how really blessed baby Neve is for having a set of parents so loving and so forward-thinking at the same time. This makes me so curious about how they are at home, what their living room looks like. I bet it's so serene. I wish I could be there, have tea, and chat with the Prime Minister. I'm sure she's got a ton of very interesting things to say—Oh god, did I just type that.
5. She Makes it Known - Mothers are Excellent World Leaders
Even before the horrific attack at Christchurch, Ardern already had her share of the political spotlight when Kiwis rallied behind her in what is now known as "Jacindamania." It was perhaps refreshing for Kiwis to see a strong, opinionated young female like her championing her people's voices as she's the youngest woman ever to hold that position in New Zealand; but Ardern was immediately regarded as the fresh political hope of her country as she run for PM according to the Guardian. However, it was amidst the nation's mourning of the recent extremist attack at Christchurch where Ardern's true nature as a leader unfolded and ultimately won the world over.
"Ardern has moulded a different consensus, demonstrating action, care, unity. Terrorism sees difference and wants to annihilate it. Ardern sees difference and wants to respect it, embrace it and connect with it. Here is an atheist showing that love will dismantle hate. This is leadership, this light she shines, guiding us through to a world where we see the best of us as well as the worst." Suzanne Moore, The Guardian
Her grieving image in a black hijab has made headlines all over the world. But what's peculiar is the fact that this image is so raw you can almost feel her actual pain. Ordinary people, celebrities, and leaders are all sharing praises on social media for Ardern's empathic presence amidst New Zealand's most horrific national tragedy yet. She addressed the victims - immigrant and national alike - as her own people. "They are us," she said. These people were welcomed in Christchurch with open arms as that's what Kiwis do. Immigrants flee to them and they are received with respect and warmth, where ultimately they find a place they can call home. "Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, home for those who share our values. Refuge for those who need it" Ardern was quoted saying by The Guardian. Ardern was also fervent at calling out leaders during this time of national mourning to help New Zealand by showing sympathy and love for Muslims all over the world more than anything.
To a mother like me, more than an inspiring leader, Ardern appears as a mother under intense emotional pain. If you find it impossible to imagine losing your own child, how terrible do you think it is to watch your entire nation get crushed in a tragedy like this in front of your own eyes? More than a Prime Minister, Ardern appears as a mother to me—a mother of a nation. And when children die, it is the mother who takes the worst kind of pain. After just about 72 hours from the tragedy, Ardern announces that New Zealand will officially ban all assault rifles - a move that has been in the making for more than 6 years in the U.S.
Truly maternal—that's how Ardern appeared in front of the entire world and is also the reason why her people continue to find refuge and safety in her. But beneath that nurturing facade, Ardern proves that mothers have innate grit and resilience in them that despite the tears, she was eventually able to address her attacker directly saying he will never achieve the notoriety he intends to receive as long as she's the one who speaks. And so long as she's the one speaking, he will remain nameless. A statement so brave and profound that now echoes across the spectating world. Her message and image will always be relevant. Because in the midst of all the senseless violence, we all realize that sometimes it's the natural instincts and qualities of a mother that bring us together to a safe and kind place. And can we all just acknowledge the fact that this mother we got right here just put her foot down and implemented major gun legislation within 72 f*ck*ng hours while she's deeply grieving with her nation? A mother's got to do what she's got to do, amirite?
It has always been my dream to be able to write cover stories about people I admire. I just never imagined I'll do it about mothers as a mother myself. If anything, this feels like an opportunity that unfolded at the most perfect time as it has since then became my mission to speak about motherhood - it's power and rawness -and speak to mothers like myself who deserve a healthy community that's all about inspiration, respect, and love. To be able to write about PM Jacinda Ardern in this first Cover Momma issue is a true honor. Regardless of the circumstances, I believe in my heart today is becoming to be a good time to be a mother now that we have a Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to pave the way for us and whom our children can always look up to.
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