8 Ways to Make a Difference

[caption id="attachment_5131" align="alignnone" width="4608"]make a difference Diverse People Friendship Togetherness Connection Rear View Concept[/caption] I, like many across the country and the globe, attended last week’s Women’s March. It’s been incredibly moving to see people come together to take a stand for what they believe is right. It’s clear that there are thousands of us willing to put forth the effort to make a change. This lights me up like nothing else. But in recent news, it’s also very apparent that we all must keep fighting. Let’s keep this fire ignited. Let’s take a small step each day to create a more inclusive and equal world for everyone. Let’s not forget why we marched. Here are 8 things we can proactively do to keep the momentum going.
  1. Call your local representatives. Become familiar with your local politicians and make sure they hear your voice. Call their office – it’s hard to ignore a phone call and much easier to ignore a letter. If you’re unhappy, let them know. And if you’re proud of how they are representing you, say so. They could use the boost while they’re fighting, too. Find contact information for your local representatives and senators here.
  2. Vote with your dollars. Support a local woman or minority-owned business. Shopping locally from small businesses lifts our communities up. It provides opportunities and growth for not only the owners, but for the people who work there and their families, too. Beyond this, support companies who are striving to do the right thing – for example Chobani, Airbnb and Etsy.
  3. Get out of your comfort zone. It’s easy to surround ourselves with people who think like we do. It’s much harder to seek out conflicting opinions. But this is how we grow. This is how we gain understanding and empathy for what others struggle with. So, seek out a conversation, gathering, organization or even an article that really takes you outside of your comfort zone. And show up with the intention to understand a different point of view.
  4. Educate yourself. Is there a cause or group you’re completely unfamiliar with? Learn about it – read a book, attend a lecture, download a podcast. Information is power.
  5. Make a donation. Make a one-time or recurring donation to an important cause – even a small amount helps. This list of pro-women, pro-immigrant, pro-earth organizations is a good place to start.
  6. Volunteer your time. If you’re especially committed or interested in a cause, commit your time. Check out This is My Oath, which offers actionable resources to support the causes that matter most to you.
  7. Be a mentor. If you’re established in your career, share your experiences with those who are trying to make their way. This could mean volunteering at a local high school, creating an internship program at work or connecting with your alma mater’s program for first-generation college students.
  8. Do something small each day. If you’re unsure of where to focus your efforts, join a group like the First 100 Ways or Daily Action. Both organizations are sending out bite-sized actions every day so even the busiest can do something to make their voices heard.
How do you plan to get involved and make a difference? We’d love to hear your idea – please share them in the comments. And let’s keep the conversation going – connect with us on The Reveal or Facebook and Instagram.