Brunch with MAMA: A Conversation with MAMA Founder Julie Scelfo

This Mother's Day Eve, AAUW NYC Metro is partnering with Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA) for an intimate brunch conversation about one of the most urgent issues of our time: the crisis of childhood screen addiction.

We'll be joined by MAMA founder Julie Scelfo — a media ecologist, award-winning journalist, mother of three, and former New York Times staff writer who spent years covering the youth mental health crisis before deciding that reporting on the problem wasn't enough. After watching suicidality affect children at younger and younger ages, and seeing firsthand how screen addiction and absent regulation were creating an unsafe media environment for kids, Julie launched MAMA — a grassroots movement of parents, grandparents, educators, and allies fighting to put real-life experiences back at the center of childhood. MAMA's mission has three pillars: educating parents, getting smartphones out of schools, and demanding that tech platforms implement basic safety standards for young users.

Julie is also the author of The Women Who Made New York (Seal Press/Hachette), a celebrated collection of biographies revealing how women — not just men — built one of the world's greatest cities.

Over coffee and nibbles in a stunning Upper East Side apartment, AAUW NYC Metro will sit down with Julie for a candid conversation about what MAMA is fighting for, what they've achieved so far, and what the rest of us can do — as parents, educators, advocates, and community members — to protect the next generation. Following the conversation, there will be time for audience Q&A and opportunities to learn how to get more involved with both MAMA and AAUW NYC Metro.

Whether you're a parent navigating screen time battles at home, an educator watching the effects in your classroom, or someone who simply believes kids deserve better — this event is for you.

Coffee, light bites & conversation

Space is limited to 40 guests.

All are welcome — you do not need to be an AAUW member to attend, and we'd love for you to bring a friend.

Learn more about MAMA at WeAreMAMA.org and about AAUW NYC Metro at aauwnyc.org.