Hey, it's International Women's Day today (but
also every day, ya know?!). IWD dates back more than 100 years, to
1909, when female activists in New York were demanding
voting rights and better pay. Now it's a day to work for equality
around the globe while celebrating the accomplishments of women. To help
you get in on the action this year, we asked the ladies we most admire
for their best tips and advice on how to actually make a
difference in other women's lives today and every day. Because, in the
words of of Rep. Lauren Underwood, the youngest Black woman ever elected
to Congress, "Girlfriends, we need you!" Read on and be inspired.
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Kamala Harris, U.S. Senator (D-CA) and 2020 presidential candidate, @kamalaharris
"What's
happening at the border is a human rights abuse. I've met with mothers
being held at detention centers who risked everything to get to the
United States with the hope that their children could have a better
future and whose children were taken from them. What I heard from them
is that they think no one has their backs. We need to remind these
hundreds of women still being held at the border that they are not
alone. On International Women's Day, let's make our voices heard—donate
to an organization working with these families, call or write your
representatives in Washington and tell them that ripping babies away
from their parents is not who we are as Americans. Women have proven
time and again that when we stand together in solidarity we are a
powerful force for change."
.
Renata Pavam
Isabella Boylston, principal dancer, American Ballet Theatre, @isabellaboylston
“Start
a talking circle with your friends or colleagues. You can learn so much
from listening to other women, especially those from different
backgrounds. A talking circle is a great way to empower women to speak
up and plant the seeds for change.”
“Be
a conscious consumer and put your money behind brands that support
female artisans, fair labor practices, and training and development
opportunities for women, allowing them to be competitive in
male-dominated marketplaces. My company, FEED, just launched a
collection of stunning artisan-made bags for IWD that provide school meals and employment for female artisans.”
Glenn Nutley
Janel Parrish, actress and star of Pretty Little Liars and The Perfectionists,@janelparrish
“Collaborate
instead of competing. When women support one another, it’s the most
powerful thing. Put your heads together when you’re with your girls and
create together!”
From left to right: Sophia Amoruso; Lena Waithe; Anna O’Brien
COURTESY OF SOPHIA AMOROSO; GETTY IMAGES; ANNA O'BRIEN
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Sophia Amoruso, founder and CEO of Girlboss, @sophiaamoruso
"I've just recently heard about I Fund Women,
a Kickstarter of sorts to enable anyone to support women entrepreneurs.
Everything from podcasters to fully-blown small businesses are
featured, making it easy to put your money where your mouth is."
Lena Waithe, writer, producer, and actor, @lenawaithe
“Donate whatever you can to support Planned Parenthood health centers, or donate your time as a Planned Parenthood volunteer.”
“Before
I was an influencer, I worked in technology, which is pretty much all
white men. I often think about how it’s impossible for the tech
ecosystem to support women's needs if we’re not helping building it
ourselves. The only way to do that is to give women the skills to
actually compete. For International Women’s Day, donate to Black Girls Code, which teaches young women of color to be the tech entrepreneurs of the future.”
"One way you can support women is by donating
to South Africa’s Keeping Girls in School program. Education is key to
young women becoming empowered and being able to make a real difference
in the world."
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Courtesy of Stacey Abrams
Stacey Abrams, founder and chair of Fair Fight and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate, @staceyabrams
"The
idea that women deserve a seat at the table extends to their right to
vote. Like so many systemic barriers, women of color are the most likely
to bear the brunt of discriminatory voting practices. By calling your
local legislators to demand an end to rampant voter purges, a more fair
allocation of resources, the use of hand-marked paper ballots, and the
end of voter ID, women can ensure their voices are heard at the ballot
box and beyond."
Courtesy of Vans
Lizzie Armanto, professional skateboarder and Vans team rider, @lizziearmanto
“I'm spending IWD skateboarding and sharing my passion with women and girls at a skate workshop.
I’ve seen how when girls are able to grab a skateboard, they can really
build confidence, and it’s great for community building. When you can
help people find their passion and put their energy into something and
feel accomplished, it boosts their self-esteem and shapes their
identity.”
From left to right: Chelsea Clinton; Danielle Weisberg and Carly Zakin; Blair Imani
COURTESY OF CHELSEA CLINTON; SHARON SUH; COURTESY OF BLAIR IMANI
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Chelsea Clinton, vice chair of the Clinton Foundation and author of She Persisted,@chelseaclinton
“An
issue that often flies under the radar is diaper need. One in three
families struggle to buy enough diapers to keep a baby clean, dry, and
healthy—and no mother should ever have to worry about being able to
provide what’s best for their baby. I’m so grateful for the National
Diaper Bank Network and its partners, which help families access
diapers. I hope everyone will learn more about the diaper gap in our
country and support their local diaper bank.”
"Always
ask to bring a plus one. When we were first starting out, we relied on a
network of incredible women who helped open doors for us and introduced
us to people who have helped us grow our business. Since then, we try
to pay it forward by inviting one woman to join us for any event or
meeting that they may not otherwise have access to. We understand the
power of networking and this is an easy way to help connect women at all
levels."
Blair Imani, historian and author of Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History, @blairimani
“When
you talk about women, make sure you’re not just talking about white
women or straight women or abled women or Christian women. I often see
historians claim that women first entered the workplace during the
1940s, but Black women have always been a part of the workforce going
back to when we were enslaved. When people cite 1920 as the year when
women achieved suffrage it erases Native American women, who did not
even have citizenship until the Indian Citizenship Act passed in 1924,
and women of color, who could not exercise their right to vote until the
Voting Rights Act of 1965. The future includes more narratives, not
less—and it will take all of us speaking up at home, at work, and with
friends to change the way history-telling happens.”
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