Democracy requires our participation. We believe civic engagement needs to happen year-round and engage whole people, seeing one another in our full humanity.
In these extremely polarized times, it’s critical that we find the most effective way to reach, engage, and empower women to strengthen our democracy. The term “civic engagement” can feel quite intimidating, but there are countless ways to participate in creating the country we seek with safe communities and money in our pocket—a country where we can all thrive. When we asked our community of women “What words come to mind when you think of an America that works for everyone?” this is what they said:
We’re in community with women day in and day out, using research-driven programming to strengthen civic self-efficacy and protect against disinformation. Our approach is not transactional, it’s transformational, rooted in a commitment to long-term engagement. In this way, it transcends any partisan or ideological divide and leads to women using their civic power to strengthen our communities and our democracy.
We take a layered approach to engagement, meeting people where they are at, and providing information and support to help align their impact with their values and vision for America.
- Individual sensemaking: tips and tricks for taking on challenges in your own life and increasing knowledge, confidence, and agency.
- Community support: tapping into compassion and care for others to broaden perspectives and build a sense of linked fate.
- Local solutions: connecting with local individuals and organizations to improve communities as a tangible way to have a direct impact.
- Systemic change: addressing the less-visible systems, laws, structures, and public officials that are contributing to—or at the root of—a problem.
Programming, like our Dear Grace advice column, is uniquely designed to move people through a journey of civic engagement on a variety of topics, including reproductive freedom, school board issues, and government action for affordable childcare.
For example, in a recent question about family planning, Grace shares strategies for thinking through options, learning about changing state laws, and how to talk to others about the importance of access to reproductive care. Grace helps readers navigate family, neighborhood, and community issues that can ladder up to bigger changes. This type of engagement provides opportunities for women to ask questions and see what others think, building knowledge, confidence, and agency.
Our programming is rooted in a desire to create an America that works for everyone. The community and trust at the heart of our approach helps our audience of women step into their full power to enact meaningful change.