Promoting Younger Women's Leadership

Younger women still struggle to take their place as leaders in business, politics, activism, and academia. We may be dissuaded from leadership due to lack of confidence, experience, or positive influences. YWTF-NYC provides resources and opportunities for younger women to develop our leadership skills and become leaders in our community. We hope to create a vibrant pool of younger female leaders who will lead this and future generations with strength and integrity.

Feministing (http://www.feministing.org): One of the most popular blogs on feminism, written and edited by younger feminists.

Ms. Magazine (http://www.msmagazine.com/): The gold standard in feminist journalism.

Salon (http://www.salon.com/): Salon has some of the highest numbers of women’s by-lines in mainstream web publications. Rebecca Traister is always a feminist favorite.

Shameless (http://www.shamelessmag.com/): Everyone’s favorite Canadian teen magazine

The Nation (http://www.thenation.com/): The excellent Katha Pollitt has a regular column in this classic lefty rag.

UN Women Watch (http://www.un.org/womenwatch/): International news about women from the UN.

Women & Hollywood (http://womenandhollywood.blogspot.com/): Learn about the strides women are making in one of the US’ most powerful industries (and how much further we have to go).

Women's eNews (http://womensenews.org/): News researched and written by and about women.

Women's Health News (http://womenshealthnews.wordpress.com/): All the latest in women’s health.

Catalyst (http://www.catalyst.org/): Research on women in the workplace.

Code Pink (http://www.codepinkalert.org/): This controversial activist group promotes women’s leadership, particularly in the peace movement.

EMILY’s List (http://www.emilyslist.org/): Supporting the political leadership of pro-choice Democratic women.

Institute for Women in Technology (http://www.anitaborg.org/): Supporting and increasing female leaders in the technology sector.

Ms. Foundation for Women (http://www.ms.foundation.org/): Grantmaking organization that ignites change in the lives of women.

Soapbox (http://www.soapboxinc.com/): The speakers bureau for feminist and progressive leaders.

White House Project (http://www.thewhitehouseproject.org/): Advances women’s political leadership, including training women how to run for office.

Women Make Movies (http://www.wmm.com/): Supporting independent women filmmakers produce and distribute their films.

Women's Media Center (http://www.womensmediacenter.com/): Works with the media to ensure that women’s stories are told and women’s voices are heard.

Women's Sports Foundation (http://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/): Advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity

Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership  (http://woodhull.org/): Provides ethical leadership training and professional development for women.

Rumors of Our Progress Have Been Greatly Exaggerated: Why Women's Lives Aren't Getting Any Easier--And How We Can Make Real Progress For Ourselves and Our Daughters by Carolyn Maloney

Why do female leaders matter? Do we lead differently? And should we?

Girls Guide to Taking Over the World: Writings From The Girl Zine Revolution, edited by Tristan Taormino, Karen Green, and Ann Magnuson

The Story of Jane: The Legendary Underground Feminist Abortion Service by Laura Kaplan

Leadership doesn’t always have to take place in Congress or Fortune 500 companies—these two books show how women can be leaders in their communities and make a real difference in the lives and minds of women.

Ladies of Liberty: The Women Who Shaped Our Nation by Cokie Roberts

The Feminist Memoir Project, edited by Rachel Blau DuPlessis and Ann Snitow

Women have led throughout history. In some cases, we have been marginalized, demonized, and minimized (and sometimes by other women). In other cases, we have continued to be respected and exulted. Get inspired by the female leaders of history.

The Fire This Time: Young Activities and the New Feminism, edited by Vivien Labaton and Dawn Lundy Martin

Don’t forget that there are leaders out there today, in a variety of fields who offer great inspiration.

district.

Legally Blonde: C’mon, don’t act like the story of Elle Woods hasn’t made your feminist heart swell. Proof positive that a woman who spends time on her hair isn’t automatically stupid, and that feminine knowledge should never be underestimated.

Iron Jawed Angels (dir. Katja von Garnier): This somewhat anachronistic film about suffragists (NOT suffragettes, thank you very much) Alice Paul and Lucy Burns is a YWTF-NYC favorite.

Board of Directors: YWTF-NYC’s Board of Directors is made up entirely of younger women. The Board leads all major programs and initiatives of the organization, and ensures that we comply with local and national regulations. Board members are elected to their positions every November by their peers.

Voting Vixens Campaign: During the 2008 election season, YWTF-NYC and national YWTF hosted several events for the Voting Vixens campaign, which persuaded younger women to become involved in the political process.

Women's History in the Courts: YWTF-NYC celebrated Women's History Month (March 2008) with a discussion about women's history in the courts, led by Lynn Hecht Schafran, Senior Vice President and Director of National Judicial Education Program at Legal Momentum. Lynn led a discussion about how advances for women's rights within the judicial system were achieved, how far we have to go, and how to move forward.

Compiled by Rebecca Andruszka