Celebrating Black History All Day, Every Day
For 25 years, the Girls Club has been committed to advancing social justice and racial equity. Our programs and initiatives have exposed members to historical civil rights activists and the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement today. We celebrate radical trailblazers —past and present — who inspire our members to become the leaders of the future.
Shirley Chisolm “Unbossed and unbought”
Shirley Anita Chisholm was a politician, educator, and author. In 1968, she became the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress where she served seven groundbreaking terms. She was also the first black woman to run for president on a major party line.
Chisholm is a source of inspiration for the Girls Club’s citywide leadership initiative, New Girl City (NGC): Agents of Change. Our civic leadership training, “A Vote For Her is a Vote For Us” celebrates Chisholm’s life of service and embodies the principle that it’s not enough for a girl to find her voice; she needs to know how to use it!
Ella Baker “Mother of the Civil Rights Movement”
Baker was a grassroots organizer who became an influential figure in the Civil Rights Movement. She was among the founders of MLK’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference, helped launch the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee, and was a prominent leader of the NAACP. As another NGC pillar, her life’s work exemplifies the power of activism through direct community action and engagement.
At the Girls Club, Baker Hall is named to honor her legacy and example. In this space, we have had the privilege of hosting former First Lady Michelle Obama, Stacey Abrams, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, and other extraordinary women who walk in Baker’s footsteps. Baker Hall is also an election poll site!
📚 Commemorating Ida B. Wells
As a journalist, abolitionist and feminist, Ida B. Wells led an anti-lynching crusade in the United States and help founded the NAACP. And in 2020, she was awarded a post-humous Pulitzer Prize.
Thanks to One Signal Publisher, our members will receive a copy of Michelle Duster’s newly released book; Ida B. The Queen: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Ida B. Wells — written by Wells’ great-granddaughter Michelle Duster, who visited the Girls Club in 2019.
🤝 Four Years of Know Your Rights Camp
Since 2017 Girls Club members have served as ambassadors for the Know Your Rights Camp, an organization founded by Colin Kaepernick to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, and mass-mobilization. Kaepernick is an ally of the Girls Club and our partnership continues to evolve as we continue collaborating through the pandemic to nourish our community with Impossible Foods.
Upcoming events hosted by The Alliance
🥂 Galentine’s Day Charcuterie & Cocktails
February 13th @ 2PM EST, $15
Bring your pals to this virtual celebration of friendship and food – Nicky (@NotSoPickyNicky) is teaching you how to create a festive charcuterie board and cocktails to entertain your ‘bubble’.
🕯 Virtual Vinyasa: Candlelight Yoga Night
February 18th @ 8PM EST
Come FLOW with us and support the Lower East Side Girls Club!! Join Margo Fochler and Molly McFadden for a 45 min Virtual Vinyasa Flow Yoga Class. Everyone is encouraged to bring and light a candle! (Suggested donation of $15)
🏠 Organization Foundations with Rachel of RayOrganize
February 24th @ 7PM EST, $15
Learn how to think about organizing your home, closet, and cabinets. This 1 hr session will help attendees figure out how they can talk about this task on their own and where to start.
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