5 Empowering Groups Helping Women Make A Difference

Over the years, many strides have been taken towards addressing the issues of gender disparity and discrimination against women, but there's still a long way to go until true equality can be achieved. Fortunately, organizations around the world are working hard to uplift underrepresented groups and advocate for what is right. In no particular order, here are some groups dedicated to inspiring women and encouraging them to speak out about the issues affecting them.

First up, at #1, we have the Junior League of Washington. Founded in 1912, it is committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. In order to solve the literacy challenges faced by the community, it has partnered with various organizations throughout the area, such as the Folger Shakespeare Library and Calvary Women’s Services.

The organization focuses on teaching members the essentials of volunteering, as well as higher level skills that are in demand in the community. Each year, the league hosts a series of community roundtables where thought leaders and stakeholders in the nonprofit, civic, and commercial sectors discuss new and innovative ways to address the area’s most urgent needs.

Next, at #2, is the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts. Since its founding in 1920, it has been at the forefront of efforts to empower and educate Massachusetts voters on a wide range of issues, including election laws, women’s health, and public education. The league's advocacy actions include, but are not limited to, supporting or opposing legislation through lobbying, communicating with public officials, and participating in panel discussions.

The Lotte E. Scharfman Memorial Citizen Education Fund was established in memory of a league president who passed away in 1970. It supports a variety of voter service and citizen education programs, such as the annual Student Video Contest, which aims to foster civic awareness among young people and provide them with an opportunity to share their opinions and viewpoints on matters of public importance.

Coming in at #3 is the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day Organization, which works globally to empower girls to become active participants in the economy by igniting a network of leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs to initiate startups, drive economic expansion, and advance communities around the world. Its Pioneer Awards recognize and honor distinguished women across multiple fields, including health, education, music, and technology.

The organization's ChooseWomen social media campaign aims to support female entrepreneurs by shining a spotlight on their businesses through the eponymous hashtag. As a grassroots movement, the organization relies on committed volunteers around the world, including student ambassadors and partner educational institutions, to raise awareness of its efforts in empowering women to alleviate poverty.

At #4 is Chicago Women in Architecture. Its primary goal is to advance the status of women in architecture and other related professions through various means, such as guiding and encouraging individuals to consider a career in the aforementioned fields, or establishing liaisons with other organizations.

It hosts a variety of events throughout each year, and these provide members with opportunities for networking, education, philanthropy, and fun. These include virtual forums and board meetings, webinars, and panel discussions that tackle the issues of concern to women within the profession.

Finally, at #5, we have the Womxn's March On Raleigh, an inclusive group that was formed in late 2016. It is dedicated to promoting progressive action, grassroots activists, and community organizations in North Carolina that are working to protect marginalized individuals in the community who are experiencing discrimination, inequality, and injustice.

Over the years, it has supported and promoted various other movements, including the Paid Sick Leave Rally, March for Science, and Women's Advocacy Day. In 2017, the organization created the Raleigh Women's March, which is an annual event that gives participants the opportunity to raise awareness of a wide range of issues, including reproductive healthcare, public education, and sexual violence.