Advocates For Women

Improving the Lives of Women for more than a Decade!

Our Mission

We believe that enhancing the lives of women makes the world better for all. Recognizing the intersectional effects of gender, racial and economic inequities, we strive to maintain a learning mindset. We work to advance reproductive justice, gender equity, and women’s well-being through advocacy, giving, and education, with compassion and respect for all who identify as women.

Focus on Indigenous Women

This year we will be educating, advocating and raising funds for Indigenous Women in Washington. Our particular areas of interest are empowering young women and girls and gender-based violence. 

Upcoming events and contact information:

To learn about our upcoming events, check out our calendar. Contact: Advocates For Women

Our Work

Now more than ever the full participation and leadership of and by women is essential to addressing local, national, and global disparities and injustices, particularly those suffered by women. We seek to help women locally and globally by:

  • raising money or acquiring products for non-profit organizations which help women (see Fundraising for Women for details)
  • raising awareness among ourselves and the congregation about challenges facing women (see Advocacy and Awareness for more)

Find out about our program on Reproductive Justice 

We proposed a Congregational Stand that states: Reproductive Justice is a Fundamental Human Right (see the final text here) which was unanimously approved at our Congregational Meeting May 2023. This Stand is based on the proposal by the Sister Song Collective that all people have the right to bodily autonomy, to bear or not bear children, and to raise their children in a safe and healthy environment. You can see a complete list our events to educate the Congregation on Reproductive Justice in this article. 

Recent donations

We are excited to announce two major recipients of our pledge funds for 2022-2023.  They are:

We have also donated to Worldwide Fistula Foundation to fund one surgical treatment of obstetric fistula. Our Awash with Quarters fundraiser yielded $725 for laundry services at Pathways for Women transitional housing. In July, we co-sponsored a concert by Otto Cantanti and Dave and the Dalmations which raised $1892 for Planned Parenthood of Greater Washington and Northern Idaho.

Wins in the 2023 Washington Legislature

Our wins included timely bills to end abortion cost-sharing, to protect our health data from snooping, and to protect providers of abortion and transgender care from out-of-state harassment. We were sad that the Keep Our Care Act, which addresses the takeover of health systems by religious entities, did not reach a vote. We had good success with bills on gender-based violence,while substantial bills aimed at financial assistance for families saw little success.

Meetings For Work and Play

Each month, September through June, we meet via Zoom on first Mondays (odd-numbered months, 6 pm) or in person/hybrid on first Sundays (even-numbered months, 11:45 am) to plan and reconnect. Check our calendar or email Advocates For Women for the latest details. We work collaboratively in standing groups (such as those that organize our book discussions or state lobbying efforts) and in planning groups that are dedicated to a single project, so there is room for participation by all who are interested. We use a democratic decision making model and follow the EUUC Covenant of Healthy Relations.

Throughout the year we gather (on Zoom or in person) for some fun times together, such as “Whatever Makes You Happy” happy hours and Cafe Connections. Although we don’t have business meetings In July and August, we do have one or two social events. Community is important to our success!

News

 

For More Information

Contact: Advocates For Women