Speak Your Mind!
Remember the barriers that can make women shy away from civic engagement? Nearly half of women we spoke to say they feel like they can’t confidently express or defend their views. Seventy four percent prefer to avoid civic or political talk altogether, believing it will lead to conflict. And a staggering 84 percent don’t even feel like they matter in America.
That’s what Galvanize Together is here to change through confidence-boosting, community-building programming like Dear Grace and In Focus. The recent “Speak Your Mind” conversations at In Focus are a great example of this!
Speaking up is hard! Many women in our community face social and emotional risks when they say how they really feel. Our conversations provide positive social proof, which increases women’s confidence and helps them feel like speaking up is worth it. This increase in confidence and efficacy sets folks up for success in their personal lives and in the ways they navigate civic activities.
Conversations like this are too good not to share—that’s why we show highlights to our entire community! Short clips like the one below get viewers thinking about:
- What issues matter to me and would compel me to speak my mind?
- What barriers keep me from speaking up about something that matters to me?
- What do I have to gain by speaking up about something that matters to me?
- Who or what can support me to build my confidence?
In Focus videos like this one are shared with consent from the participants! Another big thank you to everyone who joined us for these great conversations.
“We have to go through hell sometimes to gain our voice. And then once we have our voice, like, at least with me. It doesn’t shut off.”
Galvanize Together Community Member
Valuing and trusting ourselves is an important element of civic efficacy. That’s part of why self-esteem is so important! Our community validates each other and helps that self-esteem grow. As our community discovers their strengths, builds their confidence, and realizes they’re not alone, they grow closer to activating their full civic power in service of a better America. Take a look at what they have to say over at galvanizetogether.org!
