Women Creating Change is proud to release the WCC report, A Blueprint for Women’s Civic Engagement in New York City: Toward a More Just and Equitable Democracy.
The Blueprint examines the landscape of women’s civic engagement in New York City–focusing on those who have been systemically excluded from civic processes. The report defines civic engagement; identifies the barriers and drivers of civic participation; and highlights recommendations for nonprofits, government, foundations, and the private sector.
Methodology: This Blueprint is the culmination of two years of a comprehensive effort that includes key findings from WCC’s strategic planning process (listening tour, landscape analysis, literature review) and developmental evaluation (nonprofit survey and focus groups).
Read the Full Blueprint
Read the Executive Summary
Women Creating Change defines civic engagement as the set of behaviors, attitudes, and actions related to participation in one’s community in pursuit of equity, accountability, wellness, and justice. The outcome of improved civic engagement is a democracy that meets everyone’s basic needs and ensures all community members have the power, tools, and skills to participate in collective decision-making.
- The goal is to shift power to women who have been excluded from full civic participation.
- Civic engagement supports democracy, jobs, community health, and equity.
- WCC’s Blueprint offers recommendations to help chart a path for collective action.
On June 15, 2021, WCC held an amazing panel with NYC leaders to discuss the systemic barriers to civic engagement and how all sectors can collaborate to ensure a more just and equitable city. The discussion was led by Emmy-winning journalist Vivian Lee, and featuring three of NYC’s most respected leaders: Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq., Interim Executive Director, Center for Law and Social Justice, Medgar Evers College, CUNY; Ana L. Oliveira, President and CEO, New York Women’s Foundation; and, Dr. Sarah Sayeed, Chair and Executive Director, NYC Civic Engagement Commission.
You can watch the full video here.
See what Honorable Kathy Hochul, Lieutenant Governor of New York and Honorable Jessica Ramos, New York State Senator said about the WCC Blueprint for Women’s Civic Engagement in NYC.