Racism, classism, homophobia, oppression…diversity, cultural competency, inclusion, awareness…these are heady topics that have challenged (and frustrated) us as individuals, organizations, and a society for a very long time. While many in our country could never have imagined they would live to see the day when an African-American man would be President, systems of oppression and marginalization abound. We have come a long way in so many regards. But we don’t need to look very far to see that we still have a long way to go.
The Problem of Invisibility
“A Structural Analysis of Oppression,” a 2006 article by Sandra Hinson and Alexa Bradley, determined that as members of certain social groups, people usually experience oppression as one or more of the following conditions:
- Exploitation
- Marginalization
- Powerlessness
- Cultural Dominance
- Violence
The piece, though a few years old, is an interesting, clear and concise way of framing these issues. You can read it here, and I recommend it for anyone interested in understanding these terms and concepts better.
Unfortunately, the stories of the women (and men) most adversely affected by issues of exploitation discrimination, oppression, and marginalization are buried between the pages of the newspaper, if they are reported at all – invisibility is the insult to this injury. Yet, there are organizations in our community working to do all they can to catch those that would otherwise fall through the cracks of “the system.”
Shine a Light On the Solution
This year, the Leadership Awards program wants to identify those organizations working tirelessly to continue moving the needle on these issues, shine a light on the critical work they do, and make these organizations and their work “front page news!” 10 organizations will win $10,000 each!
The 2010 Leadership Awards program invites you to help us shine a light on these champions within our community. Help us identify innovative or under-recognized non-profit organizations in Washington, D.C., City of Alexandria, Arlington and Fairfax Counties, VA; or Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties, MD working to positively impact the lives of women and girls from under-resourced, oppressed or marginalized communities (communities of women that all too often fall “through the cracks”), or through innovative work at the intersection of gender, race, class, sexual orientation, ability, etc. in their communities. If you want to learn more about how to nominate, click here for a copy of the nomination guidelines. Nomination forms are also available by clicking here. The deadline for nominations is November 3rd, so act now!
Between the Cracks & At the Intersections… a seemingly simple expression for very complex and important work.
Nicole Cozier is the Philanthropic Education Officer at Washington Area Women’s Foundation.
