4 Ways to Volunteer in Support of Girls and Women

Throughout Women’s History Month, we’ve celebrated the important contributions women changemakers have made throughout history. Their stories can serve to inspire others to find ways to take action that creates change – but you don’t have to be Susan B. Anthony, Vice President Harris or Greta Thunberg to make a difference by showing support for girls and women.

Here are four ways you can get involved:

1. Empower young girls and women by supporting girl-centric organizations

Be a mentor and role model for young girls, empowering them to become strong, independent and confident women. Volunteering your time to work directly with young girls is an impactful way to create change that can last long into the future. You can also donate to these organizations to help support their missions. Help girls discover their strengths and passions with the Girl Scouts; encourage girls to rise up to challenges through Girls Inc. educational programs; or, inspire girls to create social change in their own communities with Girls for a Change.

Other organizations making an impact? Girl Up is a nonprofit that equips youth leaders all over the world with the education and resources they need for social impact in various cause areas. Girls Who Code is helping to close the gender gap in technology and teach programming to young girls. And She Should Run is a nonpartisan nonprofit that empowers girls and women to run for public office.

2. Lend a helping hand to mothers through parent-focused organizations

Under the best circumstances, parenthood can still be a struggle. Those feelings can be magnified exponentially for low-income families or single moms. Help make things a little easier by getting involved with a local organization like Community’s Child, which provides support to young mothers transitioning out of homeless shelters.

Or follow the footsteps of some of our Daily Point of Light Award honorees! Corinne Cannon started DC Diaper Bank to fill a void for fellow moms – find a local group, or learn how to start a diaper bank in your community. Jessica Currie founded Missionary Currie for Women and Children to turn her experience of being an unhoused single mother into support for other women experiencing similar situations. From community baby showers to seasonal clothing drives, the organization is always looking for donations.

3. Fight back against domestic violence

About one in three women will experience some form of physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Women’s shelters provide a necessary escape for these women and their children, and volunteers play an important role – through fundraising, community outreach, emotional support or simply contributing to keeping a shelter’s administrative functions running smoothly.

Contact your local shelter or domestic violence program to find out how you can volunteer to help women. In addition to supporting survivors of domestic abuse, you can join the fight to help put an end to the violence all together with an organization like Futures Without Violence. You can also use your voice and your vote to write to your local and state officials, advocating for stronger legislation around domestic violence and fiscal support for organizations working to provide shelter to those who suffer from it.

4. Fill an unmet need by starting an initiative of your own

Create an initiative of your own that helps meet the needs of women in your community like Daily Point of Light Award honorees Blythe Hill and Nadya Okamoto. Blythe founded Dressember to raise money and awareness for anti-human trafficking work. Nadya started Camions of Care to help address the needs of homeless women – particularly their lack of access to feminine hygiene products. As Blythe says, “If something upsets you and makes you ask, ‘When is someone going to do something about this?’ know that others probably feel the same way. Find those people and advocate together.” Whether through volunteering or filling the role of a social entrepreneur, you can help create the change that’s lacking in our current systems and structures.

Want to know more about inspiring women? L’Oreal Paris Women of Worth recognizes the philanthropic achievements of ten nonprofit leaders from across the nation.

And for more ways to get involved through in-person or virtual volunteer opportunities, search the Points of Light Engage platform for opportunities in your community and across the globe.