National Organization for Women

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Things YOU can do to make a difference!

Written by Julie Kent

Things You Can Do Today

  1. Research the candidates running in your primary. Use your sample ballot as a starting point.

  2. Visit the NOW website at now.org and look at the capsules defined by the national organization.

  3. Visit our partner site State Voices Florida to learn what other organizations are doing https://www.statevoices.org/states/florida/

Things You Can Do This Week

  1. Attend a candidate rally or gathering and ask questions.

  2. Register for the FL NOW conference. If you can’t attend the conference, register for the State Council meeting on the last day of the conference. It will be held in a hybrid manner to allow virtual participation.

  3. Send a note of thanks to candidates or elected officials who have spoken out on topics of concern to you.

Things You Can Do This Month

  1. Vote – the primary is August 18

  2. Encourage, support, transport others to vote

  3. Attend the FL NOW conference https://flnow.org/2026-fl-now-state-conference-feminists-fight-fascism/. Your presence and participation mean everything so let us know if something is holding you back so we can reduce the obstacles!

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Lynchings Continue Across The Nation

Justice for Syriah Henderson.

We are beyond horrified and heartbroken by the alleged lynching of Syriah Henderson, a young Black woman in St. Petersburg, Florida. Syriah was a mother, a beloved daughter, and someone whose life was filled with love and possibility. Our hearts are with her family, friends, and loved ones as they navigate this unimaginable loss. We mourn her life and stand in solidarity with all those demanding justice.

Across the nation, Black and Brown children, teenagers, and adults are murdered or go missing at disproportionate and alarming rates. The pain of alleged lynchings and other suspicious deaths echoes a long history of racial violence and the denial of justice to Black and Brown communities. Families, loved ones, and communities have long fought for answers in cases where deaths have been prematurely ruled suicides or inadequately investigated. We cannot separate these injustices from the United States’ long history of systemic racism, racial terror, and the devaluation of Black and Brown lives.

Coverage on the death of Syriah Henderson https://royalauthorityofficial…

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Three Microaggressions That Harm More Than People Realize

Microaggressions are the subtle, everyday slights that communicate bias—often without the speaker realizing it. They may seem small in the moment, but their cumulative impact is heavy, especially for people who experience them repeatedly. Here are three common microaggressions and why they matter.

  1. “Where are you really from?”

This question suggests that a person doesn’t belong, even when they were born and raised in the United States. For many people of color, especially immigrants or children of immigrants, it signals that their identity is being questioned and that they are seen as outsiders. The message underneath is: You’re not one of us.

  1. “You’re so articulate.”

Often said with good intentions, this phrase carries an assumption that the speaker didn’t expect intelligence or eloquence from the person they’re addressing. It implies that being well‑spoken is surprising for someone of their race or background. The compliment becomes a reminder of stereotypes rather than an affirmation of ability.

  1. “I don’t see color.”

Colorblind statements erase the lived experiences of people who face racism. Claiming not to see race can shut down conversations about inequity, harm, and history. It suggests that acknowledging someone’s racial identity is the problem—rather than addressing the systems that create unequal outcomes.

Why microaggressions matter

Individually, these moments may seem small. But over time, they create environments where people feel unseen, undervalued, or unsafe. Microaggressions chip away at trust, belonging, and psychological well‑being. Naming them is the first step toward building communities grounded in respect and accountability.