Many feminists are despondent in the post-Hillary era. But the four co-chairs of the Women’s March on Washington, scheduled to be the first major act of resistance in the Trump era, say that people who believe in equal rights can’t afford to get depressed. Here are the five most effective ways to be an active feminist in the Trump era, according to women who should know.
Donate your resources: “There are so many organizations that exist who need to be strengthened. They need more resources. They need bodies. They need people, new blood, new energy. And they’re just waiting for you,” says Tamika Mallory, a gun control advocate and racial justice activist who was recently the youngest Executive Director of Al Sharpton’s National Action Network. “The movement is happening. so if you are a person who has the resources to donate, you should.”
Know your elected officials: “I tell people, raise your hand if you know who your elected officials are, local city councilman, alderman, your local state legislator,” says Linda Sarsour, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York. “People will honestly say they don’t know.”
Stay informed: “If you do not know, something really horrible can happen on your watch if you are not informed,” says Sarsour.
Become a local leader: “Consider leadership roles for yourself at the local level. There are so many seats up for grabs in 2017 at the local level and 2018 in Congress. We can make changes from the bottom up,” says Bob Bland, CEO and Founder of Manufacture NYC.
Give back, your way: “You don’t have to be an expert,” says Carmen Perez, Executive Director of Harry Belafonte’s The Gathering for Justice. “It’s really digging deep into the core of your heart and figuring out what do you love, what do you care about, and what can you give back?”
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Write to Charlotte Alter at charlotte.alter@time.com