Share Your Story

Our aim is to highlight the power and voice of women of color. We look forward to centering your voice on our platform. Thank you for participating. Click below to share your story.

Alice Liu, Malikah organizer 2019

During my time of working at a Chinatown non-profit, I was exposed to the many ways various government agencies were able to interact with our community vis-a-vis the organization. The city was able to provide funding to run art and youth programming, collect input from community stakeholders, bring services and grants directly to constituents etc. I realized that when there is an institution that is able to collectively represent what would otherwise be a cacophonous disorganized mass, the group is more likely to receive aid and make change that would benefit everyone in the group. Therefore, in order for a group of people--especially if they are a marginalized group--to advocate for greater representation, their fair share of government resources, or advance a policy that protects their interest, they need to organize a large number of people to stand behind one clear mission. From seeing this strategy in practice at the non-profit that I worked at, I want to apply this same mindset to advancing the voices of the people who do not feel completely represented at the organizations that currently exist in my community. I want to mobilize recent immigrants, young people, and women so that we can get greater representation in our community and bring new energy and new perspectives to the existing community institutions

Mystique Hargrove, Malikah organizer 2019

My experience as a Black and queer survivor from being attacked and as a birthing parent. I was silenced. Made to be invisible. From my traumatic experience as a student in undergrad to my experience of my life and the life of my now beautiful rebellious child during my pregnancy and birth being almost taken. What was trying to break me only failed due to the pieces being restored. That is what pushes me to do this work in my community.

Deena Hadhoud, Malikah organizer 2019

Organizing for gender justice is important to me because it has to be. Like so many women, I have been continuously objectified throughout my lifetime, have survived sexual assault, and am fed up with being victimized by the patriarchy. It is important to me to take such frustration and turn it into something productive, like empowering and mobilizing women on the issues that affect our lives.