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To celebrate the release of Fox's Won't Back Down, bloggers share their personal stories of inspiration and empowerment and urge us to take action for causes that we believe in. Click on the links below to read their posts and enter for a chance to win a $40 Fandango.com gift card!

In Won't Back Down, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis play two determined mothers, one a teacher, who will stop at nothing to transform their children's failing inner city school. Facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a difference in the education and future of their children. In theaters September 28. Like the offical Won't Back Down Facebook pagefor more updates on the film and share the link with friends.

The BlogHer Be a Change Agent Sweepstakes run from 9/5/2012 through 9/30/2012 and are only open to individuals who, at the time of entry deadline, are legal residents of the United States and are 18 years or older. Click here to read the official rules.  Winners will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Good luck!

Won't Back Down is a Winner

As a mother and educator I know what it's like to yearn for your child to get the best education. We will protest, write petitions, challenge the status quo and threaten physical harm just to ensure our children start out with an equal chance for your child. The 20th Century Fox film "Won't Back Down" (out in theaters on September 28) stars Hollywood Heavyweights Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis, as two determined mothers... 

Don't Back Down

We're big into football around here. I blog about it often enough that I'm sure some of my readers question my sanity. I promise you I'm sane, I just believe in the lessons organized sports can teach us and our kids.My dad coached football; my four brothers played football. The sport has always been a part of my life. My oldest son started playing several years ago, when he was seven.  

Fighting the Good Fight

We could all use a five-year-old superhero. I've been having soul-searching conversations with my five-year-old, Mikko, lately. He'll talk about anything (and, boy, does he love to talk), but he's become interested lately in even bigger issues than whether he can have chocolate milk or why stop signs are red. He's been noticing people who need help, such as the people selling Real Change (the homeless newspaper) outside our grocery store.  

We Won't Back Down

"Well, probably the most serious violation was when she told another child, 'Please stop being a pest and leave me alone.'" The words were delivered with the heavy tones of someone who was horrified to have to be the one to tell us about such a terrible offense.I blinked. That's all I could do as I processed the statement. I blinked. ::blink::blink::blink::blink::  

Teaching Our Kids Not to Back Down

One of the most important lessons I'm passionate about teaching my children is how to stand up for what they believe in regardless of the opposition they may face. I want them to have the confidence to stick to their beliefs, the knowledge to back them up, and the determination to fight for them. Navigating the world of foster parenting as a multi-cultural family who also has a severely special needs child, we have had plenty of opportunities to model effective advocacy for our children.

Mama Bears Unite!

You know that feeling you get as a parent when you suspect for a millisecond that your child has been wronged? That "Mama (or Papa) Bear" reflex that rears up in us and makes us feel like we could and would do ANYTHING to protect our kids?Yeah. That. It's a frightening and powerful rush, isn't it? I feel it so often, I'm starting to think I might be a Mama Bear junkie. Granted, I'm a bit of an over-reactor in general... 

I "Won't Back Down." Will you?

Many of you know my story and the incredible fight it was to get Samuel diagnosed with Celiac Disease. For months I had watched my little toddler fade away in front of me with no answer, no one really listening, and yet, I knew as his mother something was wrong.The defining moment in my fight? The moment when I wouldn't back down? I was in the hospital. 

Passionate About Children & Education

Let me just start out by telling you I am not a fan of movies. Honestly, I just don't have the patience to sit still for that long, typically. I used to do better when the average movie was about an hour and a half, but, now that films are often two or, God help me, 3+ hours long, I just cannot do it. I get fidgety. Very rarely, a movie comes along that I can't wait to see. Very rarely. As in, the last time this happened was over a year ago.  

Make a Small Difference in the World

When John and I take the very occasional trip to the movies, during previews I often note names of movies I'd like to see and type them into my phone so I won't forget about them by the time they come out on video. Fox's new movie "Won't Back Down" is one of the movies I wrote down a few weeks ago. The film features Maggie Gyllenhaal (from Stranger Than Fiction) and Viola Davis (from The Help).  

Inspiring Change in Our Kids

I don't know about you...but I'm raising kids who will make a difference in the world and stand up for what they believe in. It's so tough, in a world so full of corrupt thinking and ways, to teach children to navigate the world in a way that is loving but also firm in the belief of what is right. It's so hard when your kids may be surrounded by people making wrong choices or maybe just different choices than your family would make.