Breaking Barriers: The Gender Bias I Face as a High School Nonprofit Founder

Nan Zhou

January 30,2025 at 12:51AM UTC

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Breaking Barriers: The Gender Bias I Face as a High School Nonprofit Founder

As a high school student running my own nonprofit, I've faced gender bias in ways that often feel discouraging. Many people assume that because I'm young and a woman, I don't have the same level of credibility or authority as my male counterparts. It's frustrating to see my ideas dismissed or not taken seriously, even when I'm doing the same amount of work or more. I’ve also noticed that people sometimes expect me to focus on the "soft skills" of nonprofit work, like volunteering or community outreach, instead of being involved in leadership or decision-making roles. These biases have made it harder to gain the respect and support needed to grow my nonprofit, but I’m determined to push through them and keep proving that gender shouldn't limit anyone's ability to lead or create change.

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AnonymousJanuary 30,2025 at 1:59PM UTC
Or age. You should be very proud. However, I would suggest finding a mentor to help you navigate some of the legal aspects and other logistics. I suspect your age is probably more of a hindrance than your gender and will be an issue with fundraising and general community support. This mentor could advocate for you when necessary. To find a mentor, you might want to start with a church's pastor or church leader who aligns with your cause.
You don't have to do this alone, and I suspect many people would support and help you.
Jose AndersonAugust 4,2025 at 6:54AM UTC
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