Welcome to the I Am Why blog!
Here I Am Why’s consultants, staff and partners write about what’s happening at I Am Why, our values and our take on the issues that matter to us most.
Now
Now Now what What is being a woman Nearly 50 years of growth Nearly 50 years to be proud of Nearly 50 years gone How do I define myself now What is a woman I am courageous I will fight I won’t back down I won’t let Nearly 50 years go to waste When I was born I had...
Religion vs. Human Rights: Forced into Motherhood
There was a time when women had no rights and our voices were never heard, as we were supposed to be quiet and look pretty. But the times have changed. We can work, we can vote, we can run our own businesses, we can even have our own voice. Aren't we so lucky to have...
The Reversal of Roe v. Wade Bends the Arc Away from Justice and Equity
Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the Supreme Court case that overturned Roe v. Wade and the right to abortion, is a full-on attack on women’s autonomy, self-determination and safety—three values that the women of I Am Why hold dear. At I Am Why we begin...
Creating Safe Spaces at I Am Why Workshops
It had been years since I had been in the Artistic Noise space. This would be my first time participating in an I Am Why workshop and I was excited at this new opportunity. As I entered this space I could feel the art in the room coming alive—it appeared to be its own...
…Mental Health…
...Mental Health... Who you or me/ Yea they come in waves/ They come in stress or tears/ They come when I try/ My fears, my doubt, my past, I hide/ ...Mental Health… We are in a world where if you don't grind/ You get left behind/ Who you or me/...
My Journey to Becoming an I Am Why Activist
I Am Why’s book opens a door… Ebony, one of I Am Why’s consultants, nominated me a while back to receive a dream reader copy of the I Am Why book, I Am Why Reclaiming the Lens. At that point I didn’t even know what the book was about or what I Am Why was. Dream reader...
I Am Why Is Choosing a Co-Executive Director Model: Here’s Why
I am really excited for I Am Why because we are honoring intergenerational leadership! For me, this is important because I grew up fast. I started translating English documents for my parents when I was only six years old. My parents looked at me as a bridge to the...
Why Center the Voices of Young Women and Gender-expansive Youth?
As we reflect on all the hardships we have faced these past few years, it’s essential we center the voices of the next generation that is inheriting this world. At I Am Why, we have been busy tending to our growth so we can pave the way for the next generation of...
A Year in Review: Looking Back at Our Accomplishments During 2020-21
At I Am Why, we have been busy over the past year building community, strengthening our organization, and increasing young people’s power. While the world shut down, I Am Why was nimble and had a significant impact. Here are some of the highlights of our work during...
I Am Why Launches Communications Team
We just launched a new team!! I Am Why now has a communications team focused on all things…communications. One of our first projects will be working with I Am Why consultants to write and pitch op-eds. Several of us participated in a two-day training in February from...
Reclaiming My Lens
Imagine curating an art show with your homegirl—showing artwork that captures our collective struggles while recognizing our shared hope in the community that watered our growth. Well, that's what my comrade Xochtil Larios and I learned how to do when we curated the...
Check Out the Artwork from Our Minneapolis Virtual Workshops
We just wrapped up an incredible 13-week virtual curriculum for young people in Minneapolis in partnership with the Enough program at the YMCA of the Greater Twin Cities. Part of the curriculum involved the virtual version of our art-making and writing workshop and...
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