Every March, the United States celebrates the achievements, contributions, and leadership of women across America during Women’s History Month. This year, we celebrate women across the nation with the theme, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion”, as we recognize the need to address discrimination and bias in America today.
This Women’s History Month, learn more about how you can get involved in forwarding women’s rights, supporting your community, and making the world a more equitable place with The History Channel, The National Women’s History Alliance, or visit your local library or museum to learn more about how to celebrate women’s history.
In the spirit of Women's History Month, we're spotlighting a pioneer for women in the nonprofit world, Tip Kiernan. From learning to fly a plane as a teenager to studying jazz at the Boston Conservatory, Tip was a force from a young age. In the 1950s and 60s she worked in PR and advertising but left that career to begin her work as a social justice advocate. At that time, homeless shelters were for men only and she realized homeless and needy women in Boston were greatly underserved to the point that some would dress as men to enter the shelters to get a meal. So, she did what most trailblazers do, she recognized the problem and got to work on a solution. With just $250 donated by friends, on April 14, 1974 she opened Rosie's Place, the first women-only shelter in the United States. That same year, Kiernan began distributing food to those in need out of the back of her station wagon. Her efforts grew and in 1979 she started the Boston Food Pantry which later became the Greater Boston Food Bank. Kiernan also co-founded the Boston Women’s Fund, Health Care for the Homeless, Community Works and Poor People’s United Fund and established the Ethical Policy Institute.
Today, Rosie's Place serves 12,000 women a year with services including food, shelter, education, wellness, and advocacy. The Greater Boston Food Bank now provides over 109 million pounds of healthy food annually to those facing food insecurity in Eastern Massachusetts. Tip Kiernan's legacy continues to build up the Boston community to do this day but not many know her name.
So this take action this Women's History Month by spreading the word on social media using #WomensHistoryMonth, to bring attention to the power of women yesterday, today, and tomorrow. And, get involved by supporting women-led and women-serving nonprofits by donating your voice, time, cash or goods to further their cause. And, consider supporting Tip Kiernan's work by donating most-needed goods to Rosie's Place:
YouGiveGoods is pleased to offer a simple, effective way to support organizations that empower women through giving events dedicated to addressing their personal, educational, career, and family needs. See how others are utilizing YouGiveGoods to honor Women’s History Month this year and no matter how you choose to take part, we encourage you to take time to honor the achievements, leadership, and history of women this Women’s History Month to help pave the way for more success for all women in the future.