Celebrating Women's Suffrage: Having Fun During Coronavirus
YAY! Women fought for and won the right to vote in the United States 100 years ago. While that battle was victorious, their fight continues because of wage inequality, violence against women, healthcare access and quality, political/corporate representation, and many other issues.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) doesn't mean these issues have been forgotten. In fact, they are more necessary as we need to improve safety for essential workers, ability to work from home, child care solutions, etc. Here are some safe and healthy ways we can advocate for women.
1) Learn the History - There's WAY too much information to share on a humble blog post. But, some good places to learn are: Women's Vote Centennial, Susan B Anthony Museum and House, and the National Women's History Museum.
2) Understand Your Rights - to a proper education, equal pay, to own property and so much more at: Women's Rights
3) Speak Up - Your experience, thoughts, feelings, and opinion are important. So, don't be silent during meetings, conversations, and on social media. Expose the injustices in your life so they can be corrected.
4) Encouragement - Just listen, acknowledge, praise, help, introduce, and celebrate dreams, goals, and accomplishments. And take responsibility for making it a safe environment for free expression.
5) Online Volunteering- Here are some safe and healthy virtual volunteering opportunities:
-National Organization of Women (NOW)
-League of Women Voters
-Emily's List
-Live Your Dream
-Dreamscape Foundation
and more at: Volunteer Match
6) Online Fundraiser - Choose a cause or organization, set a goal, define your audience, pick a theme, have a system to collect donations, then promote and share.
7) Give - It is crucial that funds are provided for gender equality. And there are so many wonderful organizations internationally, nationally, statewide, and locally. Find a cause that is important to you and give.
8) Support Women Owned Businesses - Shop at women owned businesses. Invest in new, existing, or established businesses. Start your own business: Women-owned businesses resources. If you're a successful female business owner, support other women's businesses and organizations.
9) VOTE! - And if you're not registered to vote, please visit: US Vote Foundation
For Male Allies:
1) Shut Up and Listen - And after understanding their experiences and gaining their trust, ask "how can I help?" Take the situation seriously, provide time and space, and be visible.
2) Safe At Home Chores - I'll admit this is my greatest weakness. I was bad at chores living alone. I was bad at chores pre-Coronavirus. And I'm not the best at home during a pandemic. Now that our homes are also our offices and school, we need to improve our game. Let's clean the dishes, help the kids with virtual school, make meals, and tidy up the constant clutter from all the chaos. A little effort really makes a big improvement.
3) Mentor - Men tend to advance as a protégé. They are guided into prominence by other men of prominence. Open doors for women by skill training, team involvement, important assignments, and promotions. Introduce her to influential people that could boost her career.
4) Am I Being Fair?- Studies have shown that when men and women reach the same accomplishments, the men receive much higher praise and recognition. Be aware and open about gender bias. Establish clear and measurable goals. And use the outcomes to explain your decisions.
5) Allow Participation - Allow time and space for women in meetings. Ask for their involvement, their suggestions, and acknowledge their ownership of proposals. When interrupted, halt the intrusion to allow them to complete their statement.
6) Office Chores - What chores around your office need to be done, but aren't a part of anyone's core responsibilities? Tasks like organizing events, meeting notes, training new staff, cleaning, meeting set-up, and other non-promotable activities. Consider rotating these needs or other equitable system to allow full participation in all work activities.
7) Honor Your Family - Studies show men are severely punished for taking time off from work to take care of their family. But, it is expected for women. Yet, the act of becoming engaged or married stalls or completely stops the progression of a woman's career path. Allow and encourage mother's to take on special projects and promotions. Advocate for equal maternal and paternal benefits and use for all staff.
8) The Spotlight - An ally should not be publicly celebrated for doing what is right. We don't experience these issues on a constant basis. If praised, be humble and turn the spotlight on the heroes that are on the frontline of the cause.
DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN!
And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!
Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)
8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.
Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.
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