Though the public may no longer see bloggers as slackers schlepping around at home in pajamas, can blogging — or any activity outside the 1950′s model of "9 to 5" jobs with benefits — be considered gainful employment? 

Over the next few days, Fem2.0 is working with MomsRising to start a fresh conversation about what should be considered "work" in the 21st Century economy, especially pertinent for women designing their own work patterns to accommodate their families. What is work? What kind of work has value? 

We invite you to join our campaign to raise awareness about women and work in the following ways:

1. Blog about it by Saturday, March 28, and send us the link, so we can add your post to the blog carnival on Fem2.0 starting on Friday. Alternatively you can write a piece for the Fem2.0 blog; send us the piece and we’ll put it up.
2. Participate in this week’s Twittercast Sunday night, March 29, 10 PM EST — hashtag #fem2. If you need it, review how to join a Twittercast here.

Already on Fem2.0, MomsRising Founder Joan Blade’s post, "Working Smart Vs. Working Stupid," extolls the virtues of virtual employment. She writes:

"It is hard for me to imagine a more efficient, effective, family-friendly and environmentally sound model for my work. I am amazed by how much staff gets done every day, and how well balanced my life is overall. If my daughter gets sick, I don’t miss work. I’m still able to do what needs to be done and also take care of her. I walk downstairs to work. I have great relationships with my co-workers… I just don’t actually see them in-person very often."

The Center for Worklife Law will be our guest on this week’s Twittercast. Director Joan Williams details in her blog post on Fem2.0, "Women and Work: Why Employers’ Work/Life Policies Can–and Should–Survive the Recession," why current work models are outdated, and why we should stick to alternatives:

"It’s no surprise to the vast majority of us who have both a job and family responsibilities that something’s not working at work. The American workplace is perfectly suited for the American workforce… of the 1950′s. Even today, when 46% of the U.S. workforce is made up of women and 81% of women have children by age 44, most good jobs in the U.S. (those with good benefits and pay and opportunities for advancement) are designed around the ideal of a worker who is available for and devoted to work 24/7, with no domestic responsibilities."

Please spread the word among your friends and colleagues, blog about it and join us Sunday night.