International Women’s Day: Accelerating Action for Equity

International Women's Day, first recognized in 1911, celebrates women's achievements while raising awareness about discrimination and driving action toward gender equity. But it's not just a holiday for women—it belongs to all who believe in a world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. 

The theme for International Women's Day 2025, is Accelerate Action—a call to push forward with urgency in breaking down systemic barriers and biases that women face daily, personally and professionally. 

So, how can you help accelerate action? Acknowledge stereotypes, challenge discrimination, question bias, celebrate women's success, and support organizations that empower girls and women. 

Our friends and partners at Brown Girl Rise are one of the many local nonprofits we celebrate and support on International Women’s Day, and every day. 
 
Brown Girl Rise is a radical sisterhood of girls and non-binary youth reclaiming their connection to body, community, land, health, and creativity to cultivate a just and equitable future.  

We caught up with Ash Martin, Coordinator (they/them) and Claire Barrera, Scribe Auntie (she/he/they) from Brown Girl Rise to chat about International Women’s Day and dive deeper into the impactful work they’re doing in our community. 

NSM: Are there women throughout history or today that you find inspirational? 
 
BGR: Angela Davis, for her work in civil rights, and Imani Barbarin (known on Instagram as crutches_and_spice), a content creator focused on disability justice and media literacy. I admire many women, like the incredible individuals in my life and those working at Brown Girl Rise. Their commitment to showing up in relational, embodied ways is inspirational. 
 
NSM: Beyond this year's theme, Accelerate Action, what does International Women's Day mean to you? 

BGR: It's crucial, especially with the current political climate, to listen to women and reflect on their struggles as their rights are under threat. Staying informed is key so I can help ensure that youth are informed and feel safe and supported during this time. At Brown Girls Rise, I want young people to know that this is a space where they can truly be themselves, use their voices, and feel celebrated—every day. 

NSM: What are some of the biggest challenges girls your work aims to support still face in our community? 

BGR: Thinking about how feminism (drawing from Bell Hooks) shapes how people are able to show up and be seen. Our programming is about creating a loving and relational space that uplifts the youth we serve.

We have youth who are facing daily information that their identity, the identity of their families, their education, and their health are at risk. Just because they are young does not mean they are not affected—but they have limited rights because of their age in the larger system. 
 
NSM: Are there specific programs, opportunities, or workshops your organization offers to support girls as they prepare for careers?  

BGR: One of our key programs is the Youth Board Training, which prepares young people to be on our board and helps them understand the importance of taking up space and using their voice. It's a powerful space where youth learn that their lived experiences are valid expertise and how they can leverage that in boardrooms and professional environments. This program is especially impactful for Black, Brown, and nonbinary youth—often excluded from spaces where self-advocacy and leadership are encouraged. By fostering a sense of agency and self-worth, we equip our youth with valuable skills that translate into career success, relational growth, and confidence. 
 
NSM: How can the community best support or get involved with the work that your organization does?  

BGR: One way to support us is by following us on social media, especially Instagram. Following us is a good way to stay informed about what we're doing—including a space we're hosting this spring to add new volunteers. 

We also rely on people spreading the word about our work—being grassroots means we raise all our funds, so any monetary donation is really impactful. 

Only 1% of Oregon nonprofits focus on gender justice, and even less work on intersectional justice. We got a lot of support in 2020, and that support has dropped off significantly, so even if it's not Brown Girl Rise, youth who live at these intersections deserve to be seen and uplifted. 
 
If you want to learn more about Brown Girl Rise and ways to support this incredible local nonprofit, visit them here.