Supporting women in practical, tangible ways
How are we supposed to feel about this?
I cannot get Jane Doe’s harrowing experiences at Cornell off my mind. The men who harmed her. The larger number of men who knew what was happening, but didn’t risk their social standing to help her. The men in positions of power who failed to pursue accountability and justice for her. The fact that we only even know about this case because of litigation. The reality that we all could be, have been, or will be her.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
In the US, 81% of women will experience some kind of sexual harassment or sexual assault in their lifetime [source]. Each year, more than 1 in 3 women experience intimate partner violence in some form [source].
And it’s also National Women in Small Business Month.
More than 40% of businesses are women-owned, employing over 12 million people and generating nearly $3 trillion (yes trillion with a t) of revenue [source 1 and 2]. And the rate of growth of women-owned businesses grew at nearly double the rate of men-owned businesses in the last three-year period [source].
Holding a complicated tension
How do we make sense of these juxtaposed concepts — that women are disproportionately impacted by sexual and intimate partner violence — and we are half of the population, creators and sustainers of human life, vital contributors to economies and communities and societies? I’m holding these contrasting realities at the same time — that gender-based violence is real, and that women are powerful overcomers. That systems of patriarchy and misogyny — not just individual bad actors — are endangering and limiting women, and that our collective potential is limitless.
I don’t have all the answers, and I can’t fix everything, but I won’t let that stop me from doing something. I hope you’ll join me in focusing on what meaningful, achievable, proactive, impactful things I — and we —can do. And please let me know what else we might add to this list.
Small but mighty ways to impact change - right now, wherever we are
In our civic engagement
Vote for, donate to, campaign for candidates who support women’s rights (and other marginalized groups). Early voting is happening right now in many states, and Virginia even has several relevant constitutional amendments. Get educated on them. Ask yourself, “how can we make this place more free and expansive” when it comes to human rights. And vote accordingly. Demand accountability from our leaders.
Connect with, volunteer for, and donate to non-profits and advocacy organizations who do important human rights work - here and around the world. Domestic violence shelters, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) programs, Virginia Sexual & Domestic Violence Action Alliance.
Call, email, meet with your representatives. Tell them this matters and ask them to fund efforts that matter to you.
In our workplaces
Amplify voices that get quieted. Correct men who interrupt, talk over, and mansplain to women. Interrupt distasteful jokes and call out gender bias. Give earned credit where it’s due on projects.
Offer internships, mentorship, and pro-bono services to more junior women. Open door for those that come after you.
Serve on committees tasked with hiring, workplace culture, and promotion and make sure identity doesn’t hold anyone back from thriving.
In our communities and in our daily lives
Become familiar with local resources to support those who are struggling. Volunteer, donate, and point people to them when needs arise.
Support local infrastructure that supports women. Things like high-quality, affordable childcare, public schools, post-secondary and adult education, affordable healthcare, mental health services. Investing in supports for women and children is the way to fix so many downstream problems.
Have difficult conversations with your children — especially your sons. Here are resources from Little Justice Leaders and Ben Recker to get you started.
Shop at women-owned businesses. Refer folks to them. Leave honest, positive reviews. Engage with their posts. Encourage them and ask them how things are going.
Share what you have — bounty from a garden, hand-me-down clothes, books and games, professional attire for interviews, period products, outgrown diapers.
Check in on neighbors, friends, and loved ones. Ask how they’re really doing. If you see something, say something.
This last quarter, we’ve donated to a family impacted by intimate partner violence, political candidates campaigning on a platform of equal rights, and Hanover Safe Place. Please join us.
When you work with us, you support positive change
At Laura Kassner Consulting, our mission is to reduce our client’s mental load so they can pursue things that bring them joy. This means supporting individuals with Life Wife services with free consultations and reasonably-priced supports AND investing a portion of our profits in impactful non-profit organizations. If you’d like to nominate another organization for consideration, please email us.
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