10 Ways to ACTUALLY Help Women This International Women's Day

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woman thinking about how to help women

fotofabrika / Adobe Stock

Jennifer Koza
Jennifer Koza10
Social worker and writer in NYC
Looking for ways to actually help women this International Women's Day? We've got you covered. Here are 10 tangible things you can do if you're looking to contribute to real change:  
1. Take Women's Experiences Seriously 
Women's experiences, historically, have been dismissed, discounted or ignored. Counter this by creating spaces where women can share their stories and be supported. Seek out and learn from women who have a different background and experiences than you.  
2. Become a Better Listener 
Don't enter conversations waiting for the other person to stop speaking so you can start talking. Genuinely hear what the other person is saying.  
Demonstrate this by asking questions to learn more about something you don't understand, and check in to make sure you heard and/or understand correctly by paraphrasing back (e.g. "What I'm hearing you say is...")
Check out more listening tips here and here 
3. Register to Vote 
It can be easy to think your vote doesn't matter. But it does. It really does 
If you're not registered to vote, USA.gov and Vote.gov can get you started.  If you're already registered to vote and know others who aren't, help get them registered.  
4. Write To Your Representatives 
As much as it might not feel like it sometimes, elected officials work for you.  
Contact your local, state, and federal representatives and let them know your thoughts not only about upcoming legislation, but about the issues that matter to you.  Visit USA.gov to find out who your reps are and how to contact them.  You can also text "Resist" to 504-09.  
5. Know the Dates of Upcoming Elections in Your Area 
Depending on where you live and what news sources you consume, you most likely are aware of when big elections take place (e.g. presidential elections), but it can take a little more effort to know when local and state elections happen.  
National elections get a lot of attention, but local and state elections are just as, if not more, important.  Sign up at Vote.org and never miss an election again. 
6. Promote the Hiring of Women of Color, Trans Women, and Non-Binary People 
Even if you are not a hiring manager, you can advocate for these practices. Support organizations already doing this work by volunteering or donating. If you notice your workplace is lacking in these areas, start examining why and what can be done to change. 
7. Know Workplace Policies that Affect Women 
Know what your workplace's policies are on important issues like flex time, paid family leave, maternity leavesick timechild care, and harassment — and know how to activate these polices when you need to for either yourself or to support coworkers.  
8. Volunteer or Mentor 
Share your knowledge, share your time. No matter where you're at in your career, there is always someone who could use your wisdom.   
9. Donate  
There are many non-profits already doing amazing work that support women and a quick google search of a cause that is important to you can easily find you a good match.    
Need some suggestions? These lists can get you started 
10. Spend Your Money Where It Counts 
Support women run businesses.  Don't spend your money at companies that endorse causes or politicians that go against your ideals.   
Have a friend with a side hustle or running their own business? Buy goods and services from them at full price rather than asking for a friends and family discount.