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The world can feel challenging and painful.
There are many worthy causes that those of us with (some) financial privilege can impact by making donations.
And.
One way we can make a difference and practice inclusion is by ensuring that as we support causes, we look into who is running those organizations. There’s much more on this topic by people more involved and smarter than I am, on how white-led nonprofits can cause more harm than good in trying to solve challenges faced by people of color.
So, my humble request is that as we feel moved to support (financially or otherwise) causes that mean a lot to us, let’s also commit to taking a deeper dive into who is running those organizations. Simply put: does their leadership reflect in any way, the communities they’re supposed to be serving?
Today is Giving Tuesday in the U.S., a day when many people and organizations are moved to make donations to causes they cherish and support. I want to use my small platform here (thank you, thank you for being a reader and subscriber!) to raise awareness about some remarkable organizations that have womxn of color in leadership, and that focus on providing access, services, education, and advocacy for reproductive justice in the U.S.
Like many, I was shaken and devastated by the June 2022 Dobbs vs. Jackson Supreme Court decision, as I know many were. After it happened, I made a commitment to donate $10,000 in total, by donating $1,000 to ten organizations led by womxn of color providing reproductive health services and access.
The organizations I chose center voices at the intersection of those who are most marginalized and most affected by the Dobbs decision (it’s not surprising, given how intersectionality works that abortion bans are far more dangerous for womxn of color).
These contributions are my way of making sure that rather than turning away from crisis, I can turn toward it and make an impact as we collectively, in solidarity, work towards creating health care rights for everyone.
I realize that it’s a privilege for me to be able to make ten $1000 donations. But truly, I think the amount is besides the point. This is about ensuring that we intentionally and thoughtfully support organizations run by underestimated people, *especially* womxn of color.
We can do this through donating time, donating money, using our platform to raise awareness, or a combination of all three.
So, I’m focusing this #GivingTuesday on people who benefit the most from being centered. For those of you who are looking for abortion access services to donate to, here’s my list of 10:
Yellowhammer Fund provides practical, financial, and logistical support for those who need to access reproductive healthcare services in Alabama or Alabamians needing care in other states. They also have women of color in leadership.
Indigenous Women Rising is committed to honoring Native & Indigenous People’s inherent right to equitable and culturally safe health options through accessible health education, resources, and advocacy. This abortion fund is open to all Indigenous and undocumented people in the U.S. and Canada who have the capacity to become pregnant and are seeking an abortion in the United States.
The National Network of Abortion Funds builds power with members to remove financial and logistical barriers to abortion access by centering people who have abortions and organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice.
SisterSong is the largest national multi-ethnic Reproductive Justice collective. Their membership includes and represents Indigenous, African American, Arab and Middle Eastern, Asian and Pacific Islander, Latina women, and LGBTQ people. Membership also includes allies who support women’s human right to lead fully self-determined lives.
The Afiya Center is transforming the lives, health, and overall well-being of Black womxn and girls by providing refuge, education, and resources; they act to ignite the communal voices of Black womxn resulting in their full achievement of reproductive freedom. TAC is unique in that it is the only Reproductive Justice (RJ) organization in North Texas founded and directed by Black womxn.
New Voices for Reproductive Justice is dedicated to transforming society for the holistic health and well-being of Black women, girls, and gender-expansive people, nationally and in Pennsylvania and Ohio. They help dismantle patriarchal anti-Blackness using the tools community organizing, leadership development, and voter engagement.
Surge Reproductive Justice mobilizes communities to build a world where all people can make powerful, self-determined choices for their bodies and the future of their families and communities. Their work centers Black women, women of color, and queer and trans people of color for a movement that rises from the bottom up.
The Brigid Alliance gets people to abortion care, whatever it takes. For many Americans, the costs and logistical challenges of getting to an abortion provider are primary barriers to access, and it’s only getting harder. Wherever someone needs to get to abortion care in the U.S., they find a way to get them there – through direct support and in collaboration with their network of partners.
Organizing at the intersections of racial, economic, and reproductive justice, Holler Health Justice builds power with Appalachian communities and individuals most disproportionately affected by health inequities, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color, those in rural areas, those with low-income, and LGBTQIA+ folk.
The mission of the Chicago Abortion Fund is to advance reproductive autonomy and justice for everyone by providing financial, logistical, and emotional support to people seeking abortion services and by building collective power and fostering partnerships for political and cultural change.
You can view this list, and the dates when I donated to each organization, on my website.
I’d love to hear from you, too! What causes or organizations are you supporting today, or otherwise? Have you looked into their leadership? I’d love to connect with more organizations and causes that center underestimated communities, both, in leadership and service.
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