The #MillionsMissing campaign highlights how diseases like Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) cause patients to go missing – missing from work, social events, and activism. ME Awareness Week is in May. It is an opportunity…
Would the Flint water crisis have occurred in a mostly white middle-class neighborhood? Probably not. Flint is economically depressed, and the disaster happened as a result of the state change to a…
In Canada, Peter Von Tiesenhausen prevented a natural gas pipeline from being laid through his property, using legal intervention. But not the kind you imagine; he used a copyright to protect his…
In "Southern Witness," Gibson highlights southern UU congregations and their impact on social justice during the civil rights movement.
Mari Copeny was eight years old when she wrote a letter to President Obama to ask him to help with the Flint water crisis. Starting with that one action, she has done…
A landmark legal action on climate change is winding its way through the courts. In it, the twenty-one young plaintiffs ask governments to deal with the problem since they are not doing…
On March 31st we celebrate Cesar Chavez's birthday. We should celebrate him for the impact he made on protecting farmworkers. He also created the National Farm Workers Union so workers had a…
Emma González and the survivors of the massacre at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, became unexpected activists, coming off the sidelines out of necessity to advocate for gun control.…
Greta Thunberg is a world-famous environmental activist with a focus on global warming. She gained fame when just a kid. I focus on three types of activists: Unexpected Activists - People who…
March 8th is International Women's Day. It is a day to mourn the continuing discrepancy between genders in power, representation, finances, and safety but also to celebrate women's achievements, raise awareness, and…
Immerse yourself deeply in racial injustice history by visiting places such as The Legacy Museum and the lynching memorial.
South Africa, Rwanda, and Germany remind their citizens about their past horrors. Now, the U.S. has a lynching memorial. Let's talk about it.
Making a difference with random acts of kindness is easy. It is funny to think about preparing for a day devoted to randomness. But, the more ideas we have for kindness, the…
Give back to your cause; learn tips for becoming a successful mentor, and help others make a difference. Deb leans back into the soft couch, stretches out her legs, and sips her…
Are you new to activism? Do you need resources to help you focus your passion and find the right activism opportunity? A mentor can help you build your skills and find the…
What can white people do to support racial justice? It starts with understanding the meaning of privilege and how you fit in the movement.
Explore social justice themes in "Keep Marching." Learn how to work on women's rights advocacy to make the world a better place for women. Women have shaped societies and fostered innovation. Yet,…
As we begin the new year I hope you relax and recharge. Self-care is critical for activists and, while your choice of care will be unique to you, there are common methods…
What is your wish for a new year? Make your New Year's resolution for activism. Change the world. Why a Wish for a New Year to Change the World is More Important…
The holiday season is a wonderful time to relax, recharge, and prepare for the new year's activism. One of my favorite activism books is Feed the Resistance: Recipes + Ideas for Getting…
My favorite blogger taught me about tea towels and activism. And sent me on a search for good activist gifts. Ellen Hawley's quirky humor makes me laugh every week. And she has…
Activist, musician, and storyteller Sparky Rucker keeps history alive with his talents. His advice to new activists? Agitate!
Carl Gombert uses art to highlight how we use visual clues to make judgments about people and helps us understand racism.
In this post, I feature activist Jenny Arthur, who has a passion for helping at a terrible time - the death of a loved one. She has served as a local president…
What is Plant Based Drippin? As I was browsing the tables at my local VeganFest, enjoying the vegan jewelry, tasting food samples, and learning about animal sanctuaries, I came upon a young…
Rhonda Rucker uses her creativity to make change. Her children’s books, Swing Low, Sweet Harriet, and Make a Change, focus on racial justice.
Across the world, citizens commemorate the service of those who fight for their country. In the United States, Veteran's Day is observed; in the United Kingdom, they celebrate Remembrance Day. Poppies are…
Election Day is the first Tuesday in November. When you vote, you exercise your right to participate in our democracy. If you were to go a step further, you would choose to…
Although I’ve attended festivals that focus on vegetarian and vegan lifestyles, this year I attended my first VeganFests, which were about a plant-based lifestyle. The festivals I’ve visited in the past had…
I’m yelling at the manicurist about my bill. She doesn’t speak much English, but that doesn’t stop me from slinging epithets at her. I look around at the other people in the…
In previous posts, I’ve featured unique ways in which people use their arts for activism, such as theater and crafting. Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, I am highlighting an artist…
Pasquino, the amazing Talking Statue of Rome, is a witty character who I feature in a blog post about free speech and art. Because of the stranglehold of the church on Italian…
The activists fighting for health equality for sufferers of Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, put the rest of us to shame. Sometimes it is hard to get started in activism. You…
In previous posts, I featured the Talking Statues of Rome and the Talking Statues of Venice. In early Italy, people used the talking statutes as a way to get out messages against civic…
What do free speech and talking statues have in common? I traveled on a lovely vegan tour of Italy and, as is typical for me, I especially enjoyed the sights off the…
Theater as Activism? Yes! Read about The Diggers, a theater group that left a legacy. The Diggers When researching my book, The Happy Activist (formerly What's On Your Sign?), I was delighted…
Is Acting in Your Blood? A Spotlight on Theater as Activism Theater as Activism? Yes! Using our strengths and passions for our cause means we are automatically motivated and more likely to…
Using our strengths and passions for our cause means we are automatically motivated and more likely to stay in activism over the long haul. When researching, I was enchanted by the creative…
Powerful philanthropic practices give you a better chance of making a difference. At the Intersection of Altruism and Economics is impact. Make the most of your charitable donations and make a difference…
Volunteer Impact: Your Effective Activism In this post, you'll learn about effective activism. At the end of the day are you seeing volunteer impact? The last step in getting started in activism…
Matching your gifts to the needs of the community is the fourth step to getting started in activism. So, after you find your passion, identify your skills, and understand your motivation, use what…
Humans are such complex creatures. Although we want to think we behave rationally, much research shows we are prone to irrationality. It even impacts the way we donate. There are gifts that inspire donations.
This quiz question is about how people donate. It is a part of Dan Ariely’s “Irrational Game.”
Researchers entered participants in a lottery for $95. Before the players learned the outcome of the lottery they decided how much of their potential winnings they would like to donate to Save-the-Children Foundation.
Researchers told half of the participants they would get a thank-you tote bag with a Save-the-Children logo, while they didn’t offer the other half anything in return.
Did participants who were offered a thank-you gift donate more?
Scroll down for the answer…
Being clear about your motivation is the third step to getting started in activism. So, after you find your passion and identify your skills, take time to understand your motivation. Be selfish. Ask…
You have a Superpower. In my blog post about matching your gifts to community needs, I remind you to take stock of your activism skills. But new activists must determine whether skills…
How to Start in Activism: What are Your Gifts? Identifying your gifts is the second step in getting started in activism. So after you have found your passion, the change you want…
At the intersection of the vision of your ideal world and your real world is the change you want to see. What is your vision source? This is what motivates you to…
On a recent Sunday, Foothills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship saved 10 animals. Not with an animal rescue ministry; by merely making a vegan diet the theme of their monthly potluck. They served only…
My husband and I arrived at the Farmer’s Market early, so we had a better choice of the fruits and veggies on display. The produce was lovely and I enjoyed how the farmers displayed them like works…
This question about behavior is from Dan Ariely’s “Irrational Game.”
A hotel was trying to figure out the best way to encourage guests toward one behavior – to reuse their towels.
They showed the first group of guests a message emphasizing the importance of caring for the environment.
They showed the second group a message emphasizing that 75% of their guests had already participated in this program. Therefore, they should join their fellow guests by helping them save the environment.
44.1% of the guests in the second group reused their towels.
What percentage of the guests in the first group reused their towels?
Scroll down for the answer…
A story about Crafting and Activism, also called Craftivism. As Mary crosses the threshold and approaches the women’s department, the mall’s pop music fades into the distance and Vivaldi takes its place.…