Feel Good Friday - National Women's Law Center

This Sunday is International Women's Day and the 2026 theme, "Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls," feels more urgent than ever. That’s why today's spotlight is on National Women's Law Center.

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., National Women's Law Center (NWLC) “fights for gender justice—in the courts, in public policy, and in our society—working across the issues that are central to the lives of women and girls”. They do this through litigation, policy advocacy, and culture change to help “break down the barriers that harm all of us—especially women of color, LGBTQ people, and low-income women and families.”

The Center began when secretaries at a public interest law firm made four demands: better pay for women, more women staff attorneys, work on women's rights, and an end to being expected to serve coffee every morning. The group succeeded and NWLC has been fighting for women ever since.

Today, NWLC works across five core issue areas: reproductive rights and health care , education and Title IX, workplace justice, poverty and economic security, and LGBTQ+ equality. Their tools include litigation, federal and state policy advocacy, and public education campaigns, making them one of the only multi-issue gender justice organizations working across all of these fronts simultaneously.

NWLC has had a big impact in the courts and beyond. In 2024 alone, they filed 25 amicus briefs, brought four new enforcement actions before federal agencies, and filed a novel federal lawsuit to protect access to emergency abortion care. They also launched Project Defiance, a four-year, $100 million campaign to safeguard the rights of women, girls, and LGBTQ+ people.

If you'd like help NWLC in their fight for gender justice, there are many ways to do so. You can make a donation, take direct action by texting NWLC to 32434, shop for merch, and amplify their message on social media. Follow National Women’s Law Center on Bluesky, Instagram or LinkedIn. Happy International Women's Day!

Feel Good Friday - The Loveland Foundation

Today’s post bring us back to the United States where we’re closing out Black History Month by featuring The Loveland Foundation, an organization that honors Black history by investing in Black futures, one therapy session at a time.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in New York, NY, The Loveland Foundation is committed to bringing “opportunity and healing to communities of color, and especially to Black women and nonbinary individuals.” To do this, The Loveland Foundation covers the cost of therapy, provides mental health resources, and invests in the professional development of BIPOC therapists. 

The foundation was born from a birthday fundraiser. In 2018, activist and educator Rachel Cargle asked her social media following to donate therapy sessions as a birthday gift. She raised over $250,000 and that became the Loveland Therapy Fund, the organization's core program. With therapy costing an average of $80–$200 per session, the financial barrier is real, resulting in Black women being significantly underserved by the mental health system.

The fund provides financial assistance to Black women and nonbinary individuals seeking therapy anywhere in the United States. Fund recipients receive support covering up to 12 therapy sessions, along with quarterly support groups, workshops, curated wellness resources, and access to public programming. The Loveland Foundation also invests in the therapist side of the equation, offering professional development and continuing education workshops for BIPOC therapists doing this vital work. Their National Resource Directory connects the broader community to mental health resources across the country.

The Loveland Foundation has had a big impact in the communities they serve. In 2024 alone, they served 4,848 individuals and provided 58,176 hours of therapy, and since they began, they've funded over 210,780 hours of therapy support! Ninety percent of their funding comes from individual donors, with an average donation of just $5.

If you, or someone you know, needs support from The Loveland Foundation, fill out this form to join the waitlist. If you have the ability to support The Loveland Foundation you can do so by making a donation  or amplifying their message on social media. Follow The Loveland Foundation on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn, and subscribe to their YouTube channel to start sharing their stories of healing and hope with your network.

Happy Black History Month!

Feel Good Friday - Dignity Network

I’m back from a trip to Thailand, and one of my favorite stops was the Dignity Network Women's Massage Center. Let me explain why.

Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Dignity Network is "helping female ex-prisoners reintegrate into professional society successfully" through several programs, including the Women’s Massage Center.

The organization was born when Thierry Gallo, an entrepreneur from Brussels, visited Thailand in 2010 and witnessed the harsh conditions facing women in Chiang Mai's central prison. He partnered with Thunyanun Yajom, a government prison officer with 15 years of experience and a master's degree in vocational education, to build something transformative.

The problem they both recognized is that women leaving prison often face profound stigma and discrimination, resulting in limited job opportunities and reoffending rates between 14 and 20 percent. Dignity Network was created to break that cycle.

While incarcerated, women can enroll in an 800-hour Thai massage training program certified by Thailand's Ministry of Public Health. Upon release, Dignity Network's Women's Massage Center offers them real jobs in a safe, professional environment. Today, five locations are operating across Chiang Mai's Old City, offering traditional Thai massage, foot massage, oil massage, herbal facial treatments, and more, all at remarkably affordable prices.

I booked an hour-long back, neck and shoulder massage for 300 baht, or about 9 dollars. After changing into some oversized hospital scrubs, my masseuse, Muay, not only massaged all the parts in question, she also ended by twisting me around to make sure I was really loose, then gave me a cup of tea.

In addition to helping people relax, Dignity Network also runs a Social Microcredit Program that offers small loans between 5,000 and 10,000 baht to help women cover urgent needs like their children's education, health costs, or rental deposits. Traditional banks won't cover these costs for someone with a criminal record. Since they began, Dignity Network has given jobs to more than 500 ex-prisoners!

You can support the Dignity Network by following them on Facebook and sharing their stories of second chances and new beginnings with your network. And if you're ever in Chiang Mai, stop in for a massage, it’s a very relaxing way to make a difference.