Grassroots Elsewhere in the U.S.

Below are a number of grassroots organizations working toward the empowerment of girls in different cities across the US. Some of the resources below specifically target the empowerment of girls of color at a young age. Other resources focus more on social justice and giving women a voice and a platform to speak up for reproductive justice. Ultimately all of the grassroots organizations below come together under one goal: to teach girls at any age that there’s enormous power in being a girl and that women, when they come together, can truly achieve anything.

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GIRLS FOR A CHANGE

https://twitter.com/girlsforachange

Girls for a Change started off as an all girls camp to fill a gap in Richmond, Va. The reason why a group of young organizers and moms came together was due to the lack of programs in the area that were dedicated to encouraging and inspiring African American girls. Thus, Girls for a Change was born with the main goal of helping girls of color develop skills that will help them be successful such as leadership and social change innovation. GFAC wants young girls of color to visualize their bright futures and potential through discovery and development in their communities through all female after school programs and summer camps where girl lead their own exploration of STEM programs, and participate in activities that develop their social-emotional skills.

 

ACT FOR WOMEN AND GIRLS

https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-0287450

ACT for Women and Girls is an organization that was started by a group of women in the Tulare County region in California. Their missions is being committed to eradicating the oppression that lies deep in the roots of the Tulare County. ACT for Women and Girls was created to help women grow into social justice leaders who raise their voices to impact their community. ACT engages young women through programs that focus on leadership primarily in social justice issues, reproductive justice and activism. ACT also holds support groups of young teenage moms, inspiring them with positive peer relationships and empowering them to reach their potential.

 

SisterReach

https://twitter.com/sisterreach

SisterReach was formed in October 2011 to offer women and girls in Memphis, TN a framework for reproductive justice. Before their founding, there was no organization or entity working specifically toward reproductive justice in the state of Tennessee. SisterReach’s mission is to empower women and girls to lead healthy lives, raise healthy families and live in healthy communities. This grassroots organization provides comprehensive reproductive and sexual health education to women and teens, and advocate on local and state levels for public policies which support the reproductive health and rights of all women and youth. We utilize community dialogues, civic engagement and faith community engagement strategies to expand new relationships among stakeholders.

 

LOUISVILLE GIRLS LEADERSHIP

https://www.giveforgoodlouisville.org/organizations

Louisville Girls Leadership was created when a group of high school girls formed a steering committee to help implement the 1995 United Nations 4th World Conference on Women Being Platform for Action goal to “develop leadership and promote self-esteem in girls and young women”. LGL is dedicated to the advocacy of young women. Members are given the opportunity to come together to develop skills, alliances, and to exchange ideas that will enable them to become visionary leaders. Their hope is presenting young girls with the space to grow and develop into incredible community leaders.