
Who better to reimagine justice than THOSE who have experienced life without it?
I Am Why brings young women and gender expansive activists together with researchers and other partners to increase young activists’ individual and collective power. By celebrating their strengths and sharing their stories and visions for justice, young people lead the way to policies, practices and programs that work.
Why I Am Why?
Too often, girls, young women and gender expansive people—especially of color—are ignored or oppressed for demonstrating the very qualities they need to become healthy, powerful adults. Equitable systems and a just society must take a different course, celebrating and supporting qualities such as leadership, loyalty, courage and curiosity, and giving young people meaningful power over their own lives.
I Am Why is a movement for self-determination and justice that centers young women and gender expansive activists. Through individual stories, artwork, research and action, I Am Why’s young activists are reclaiming and re-creating their narrative. We are developing a collective vision of policies, practices and programs that center our humanity and power. We invite you to partner with us as we reimagine justice.

Why I Am Why?
Too often, girls, young women and gender expansive people—especially of color—are ignored or oppressed for demonstrating the very qualities they need to become healthy, powerful adults. Equitable systems and a just society must take a different course, celebrating and supporting qualities such as leadership, loyalty, courage and curiosity, and giving young people meaningful power over their own lives.
I Am Why is a movement for self-determination and justice that centers young women and gender expansive activists. Through individual stories, artwork, research and action, I Am Why’s young activists are reclaiming and re-creating their narrative. We are developing a collective vision of policies, practices and programs that center our humanity and power. We invite you to partner with us as we reimagine justice.
The I Am Why Blog
I’m An Indigenous Child: Clarissa Koop
Meet Apsaalooke Back in June, the Supreme Court issued its ruling in Haalandd V. Brackeen affirming the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA). ICWA is a federal law passed in 1978 that governs the removal and out-of-home placement of Indigenous children and youth....
Motherhood Zine: How we developed the line art for our cover
Long before the pandemic, before Zoom was part of the vocabulary of so many, I Am Why existed in virtual space. Our work is rooted in in-person workshops where we partner with organizations focused on young people with lived experiences pushing for systemic change. In...
Motherhood Support Group Releases a Zine
Sengitsamu, Hey love, Bendicion, Aho, Was good, Bonjou, Hello, For over two years, I Am Why has hosted a nurturing space that has uplifted and validated the voices of mothers. The purpose of the Motherhood Support Group is to build a community of mamas to share...
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