In a story published on Jan. 2, the Washington Post takes an in-depth look at how some mothers around the D.C. metropolitan area are impacting politics.  The story itself is mildly informative, but the most interesting thing is the tone of the piece, which seems to imply that political activism among full-time moms is a new development:

"About a dozen mothers who banded together to battle the county's hard-line position on immigration are now among the area's most civically engaged residents. They attend board meetings and influence votes...And they do much of it with children in tow," the reporter writes.

Moms, particuarly stay-at-home moms, have always been on the forefront of political activism.  If for no other reason than they have more time to devote to civic activities.  They have always been the majority attending school board meetings, participating in the PTA, and organizing charity drives and outreach ministries through their churches.   Whatever side they take, moms have always been vocal on the hottest of hot-button issues, whether it be abortion, poverty, marriage, or the war.  And much more than many other politically-engaged individuals, they put their money where their mouths are, backing their opinions up with action.

How one of the leading papers in the country can overlook that fact is mind-boggling.  It is a bit disappointing that  the Washington Post only seems to recognize the impact of the women in this story because the position they've taken agrees with that of the paper's own editorial board.