Increasing the Black Women’s Voice Through Advocacy
Black women have such a powerful and graceful force. They have led many political and social movements while leading their community. Centuries later they still worked to abolish numerous difficulties Black women were facing in their communities. Equal and fair treatment in education, healthcare, the criminal justice system, etc. While Black women have the strength and power to uphold this battle, they need more voices and support to reform and improve the treatment of Black women.
Marchers at the Women’s March, January 21, 2017.
Gift of Leah L. Jones, © Leah L. Jones
Advocacy is one of the numerous ways people can help Black women have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment. In New Jersey there are countless non-profit organizations such as The National Coalition of 100 Black Women , INC. Southern NJ Chapter. New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association, or the New Jersey Collective, etc.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women , INC. Southern NJ Chapter
Their vision is to “see black women and girls live in a world where socio-economic inequity does not exist.” The way to obtain this goal is advocating on behalf of black women and girls to promote leadership development and gender equity in health, education, and economic empowerment.
New Jersey Black Women Physicians Association
The New Jersey Black Women Physician Association is a non-profit organization and network of Black women physicians dedicated to advocacy and the elimination of health care disparities within communities of color and other vulnerable populations.
This is New Jersey’s first comprehensive advocacy organization solely dedicated to the proliferation of Black Women leaders in New Jersey. Their goal is to “garner, harness, and strengthen the social, economic and political power of Black Women in New Jersey by directly investing in and advocating for Black Women in leadership roles.
Sister Afya Community Mental Wellness
The Sister Afya Community Mental Wellness provides mental wellness care that centers the experiences of Black women. They believe that community support for people living with mental health conditions “can foster healing, growth, freedom, and self-actualization.” They do it in 3 ways: mental wellness education, resource connection, and community support.
There are more organizations like the ones above that do great, educational, and uplifting work for Black women and girls in New Jersey. Black women have come a long way to be where they are today and we give thanks to organizations such as the ones mentioned in this blog for continuing the fight for equality for Black women and girl and uplifting them.
#BlackLivesMatter March on Seattle in solidarity with Baltimore and Freddie Gray on May 9, 2015 (photo by Jama Abdirahman)
About The Author:
Zion Davis is an PR and Social Media intern with The Lesniak Institute for American Leadership. She is currently a student at Kean University majoring in Criminal Justice Pre-Law.