Meet the Brave Resistance Fighters Inspiring Change Today
Musings of the Month
Standing Strong: The Resistance Leaders Fighting for Democracy and Justice
Nyla Foster, Executive Director of the Trans Women of Color Collective (TWOCC)
Nyla Foster is building power and creating safe, affirming spaces for Black and Brown trans women. She launched transformative initiatives such as the Healing Restorative Justice Institute, the Level Up Organizing to Action Initiative, and the Rhythms of Resilience Art Festival, while also providing emergency housing assistance and gender-affirming identification services. TWOCC prioritizes serving this community—ensuring not only access to vital resources but also opportunities to develop leadership skills and drive their own movements.
Charles Douglas III, Executive Director of Common Power
Charles Douglas was an on-and-off volunteer before leaving a 13-year career at Starbucks in marketing and e-commerce to create Common Power as a formal political organization, which he now leads as Executive Director. Common Power mobilizes volunteers to connect with and inform voters around the country, while investing in the next generation of leaders and building lasting community. Now as a family of organizations that interact with politics in different ways, Charles leads the hybrid PAC and 501c4 bodies of work focused on direct election impacts and education as an on-ramp to civic engagement.
Hampton Dellinger, Lawyer and former Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Policy of the United States
Hampton Dellinger won this case with the Merit Systems Protection Board that put thousands of USDA workers, who were unlawfully fired, back to work. This action also strengthens the case being made by legal groups like Democracy Forward, that many of the mass firings being carried out by the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ are illegal.
Jane Fonda, Actor and Activist
Jane Fonda, in her SAG Lifetime Achievement Award speech highlighted that ‘wokeness’ is not about being weak, it is about empathy. She called on us to draw on our moral courage and do what the people of previous generations did at the Stonewall Inn, on the Selma Bridge, and the March on Washington. It is up to everyday residents to connect with others they trust and take collective action to save what we can. Look around at what people are doing to resist the administration’s authoritarian actions and the creation of a constitutional crisis.
Resource Highlight
We have heard from many people expressing a desire for more information about what they can do to stand up, speak out, and fight back against the cruel, irresponsible, (and sometimes illegal) actions taken so far by the current administration. Almost everyone knows someone being negatively impacted by the administration’s actions.
We will continue to provide credible, reliable resources for taking just action. Resistance and persistence are essential to surviving authoritarianism and navigating to a place of liberation for all.
Here are some of the tools we are using to take effective action to protect our communities. We hope they prove useful for you too.
Nick O’Neill and Rebecca Kaufman launched 5 Calls in early 2017 with the help of friends and volunteers. Their 20+ person team makes it easy for you to reach your members of Congress and make your voice heard. They research issues, write scripts that clearly articulate a progressive position, figure out the most influential decision-makers, and collect phone numbers for their offices.
How to strengthen your U.S. citizen muscle in 4 easy steps!
1. Download the 5 Calls App and enter your zip code
2. Review the list of current hot topic issues.
3. Pick your top five and call your senators and representatives. The app provides the phone numbers and makes this action possible in less than 5 minutes.
4. Repeat. Schedule to take this action 3-5 times a week.
Note: 5 Calls utilizes data from and contributes to sources such theunitedstates.io, Congress.gov, OpenStates / Plural and ProPublica.
Wake Up To Politics (by Gabe Fleisher)
For the “latest from all three branches, in plain English;” and reporting that does its best to give an unbiased view of what is actually happening in politics, check out this website. It comes out weekdays and if you subscribe, there are some extra perks added.
5 Things from the Equality Institute
Each Saturday morning, The Equality Institute CEO Bernadette Smith shares stories of good news and inspirational DEIB and corporate social responsibility practices. Bernadette shines the light when it can feel awfully dark out there. These good things can inspire you and others to take action that will spread love and light. Check it out here!
Recently Bernadette featured that Magic: The Gathering YouTuber “Tolarian Community College” (creator Brian Lewis) raised over $564,000 for Trans Lifeline, a crisis hotline for transgender people, which set an organization record. This comes at a crucial time, as the organization had to pause its Microgrants Program due to financial struggles. Despite anti-trans backlash in gaming, major Magic creators rallied, offering rare cards and collectibles as incentives for donations. Magic has also expanded LGBTQ+ character inclusion.
Book Spotlight
How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith By Mariann Edgar Budde
A New York Times Bestseller How We Learn to Be Brave is an inspirational guide to the key junctures in life that pave the way for us to become our most courageous selves.
On January 21, 2025, many Americans were introduced to Bishop Mariann Budde thanks to what The New York Times called "an extraordinary act of public resistance." During her prayer service for Donald J. Trump's second inauguration, Bishop Budde addressed the president directly, imploring him "to have mercy on the people in our country who are scared now." But for Bishop Budde, this moment was the culmination of a lifetime spent thinking about those pivot points when we're called on to push past our fears and act with strength. With How We Learn to Be Brave, she teaches us that being brave is not a singular occurrence; it's a journey that we can choose to undertake every day.
With Bishop Budde's wisdom, readers will learn to live and to respond according to their true beliefs and in ways that align with their best selves. How We Learn to Be Brave will provide much-needed fortitude and insight to anyone searching for answers in uncertain times.
Support Independent Bookstores
You can order books from independent bookstores across the country and around the world here. In St. Louis, check out Left Bank Books. And in Seattle, check out Nook and Cranny Books, a queer woman-owned business, that recently won the GSBA Best Capitol Hill Small Business Award.
#SelfCareCorner
Self-Care Tips for Your Mind, Body & Spirit
When we talk about self care, it can be hard to know what exactly self-care can mean. The Dear Black Women Project shared some tips for self care and we share some of our faves below. Remember, self care is not selfish, it is self-preservation.
MIND
Find a great therapist or other formal and informal mental health support services. This is not always easy, so here are some resources to help you along the way. Resources include: Finding a Great Therapist + Crisis Support, Mind & Body Resources, Affirming Reads & Podcasts.
Start or join a book club. Read and discuss books that inspire you in whatever way you need right now
ART
Doodle. Even if you are not an artist. It can help with relieving stress and inspire your imagination.
BELLY
Cook some of your favorite meals and share them with friends and/or family.
BODY
Breathe. No, really. Take 1+ minutes to focus on your exhale and inhale.
Get physical. Walk, swim, yoga, dance, and . . .
SPIRIT
Meet with friends for coffee, lunch, afternoons, walks, or to work on projects together. Make or enjoy music. Enjoy nature in your yard, parks, botanical gardens, museum grounds, neighborhoods
What’s new @data2insight?
A Historic Response: Nearly 7,000 Washingtonians Share Their Stories in Statewide LGBTQ+ Survey
Thank you to the nearly 7,000 Washingtonians, ages 11-98 and from every county in the state, who responded to the Washington LGBTQ+ Survey between June 2024-January 2025! And a big shout out and thank you to all the people around the state who helped us get the word out throughout the Pride Season and beyond. Washington State University is now analyzing the data and will share the findings with the governor’s office and legislators in June 2025.
Data2insight looks forward to sharing this credible, reliable, and anonymous information from July 2025-March 2026 to help community-based organizations better understand the demographics of the LGBTQ+ community and can then make evidence-based claims about what our community needs urgently, midterm, and long term.
Veronica is currently seeking funding to hire an intern and create innovative media to share what was learned from this research study, which will tell one of the most comprehensive stories about the Washington LGBTQIA+ and Two-spirit communities in Washington we have.
Email Veronica (veronicasmith@data2insight.com) if you would like to learn more or be involved in sharing what we have learned from this landmark study with your community.
