Newsletter #4

Dear Friends & Supporters, 

My husband and I were on vacation for three weeks during the months of January and February. We left about a month into Donald’s impeachment and came back two days before he was (unsurprisingly) acquitted.

I know I should feel like the world is on fire, especially because parts of it literally are, but I’m feeling hopeful. Granted, this sense of hope likely has a lot to do with the privilege that allows me to take a three week vacation, but I think it also has to do with Women Unite! Our organization began as a direct response to Trump's election, and we’re going to continue on in spite of it! Sure, the political process is messed up and designed to favor rich white people, but that’s not news and it’s not the type of headline that will inspire long-term, sustainable action. 

The kinds of headlines we’re clinging to in these early days of 2020 are ones like how Finland’s housing first approach is sharply decreasing homelessness; how Matthew Cherry and the team behind the Oscar-winning short, Hair Love, brought DeAndre Arnold as their guest; or how this Chicago book fair is giving much needed representation to black children. And of course, we continue to find inspiration and energy in the work of our partners Assata’s Daughters, Midwest Access Coalition, and {she crew}. These are the folks who are reimagining and creating a better world, the folks reminding us that we can be and do better. 

As we dive into 2020, we invite you to cling to the things that inspire you! 

With joy, 
Liz Jansen 
Co-Founder & Executive Director