STEP INTO YOUR POWER: DIGITAL TOOLKIT
3. FIND YOUR PEOPLE: Lean into your support system and build a coalition.
Women and femmes of color exist in a society that was not designed for us with a government that does not fully represent our needs, priorities, and perspectives. That is why creating safe and supportive spaces filled with people who will encourage us to imagine, dream, and work together are so important. Surround yourself with good people who know you belong.
Yet for us, creating this belonging means more than having just access – it means having a meaningful voice and the opportunity to participate in our society. It also includes the right to contribute to our democracy. However, women of color are oftentimes shut out, silenced, and ignored in the conversations about our lives, families, and communities. But there is hope – when we work together. When we create support systems. When we build coalitions.
In our latest blog post about our Listening Tour, more than half of the women of color surveyed still believed in working together, or “bridging diverse groups across race and gender to achieve change.” As one woman shared, “[Forming coalitions of women of color] just sounds natural. Because for so many of us, that’s like what our ancestors have always done, really gathering community together to make something work and really looking out for each other.”
Creating support systems and coalitions is what we, as women of color, have always done. The strength of these cannot be understated – when you build a support network or coalition of like-minded people, you will be encouraged to do more. You will find yourself inspired by those around you. You will be pushed to be your best self. We can accomplish so much more when we work together.
To find your people, consider:
Who are your supporters?
Who encourages you to dream big?
Who are the organizers and organizations that inspire you?
Find and connect with your people by sharing your story and what you care about!