Our Mission:
Education + Empowerment.
We bring women together in intimate talking circles, and empower them to listen, learn and reflect about today's most pressing issues.
Our Mission
I Will Not Be Quiet is a community group that creates a sacred space for women to learn about the political and social issues that impact their lives, and speak freely about their own experiences and challenges without judgment, apology or interruption.
Facilitated within intimate talking circles, we empower one another to raise our inner voice and find the courage to show up and speak up. To participate and not stand idly by, waiting for change to come to us. To declare: I am here. I have a voice. I will use my voice. I will be an agent of change. I am strong. I want better. For me. For my family. For my friends. For all humans. I will listen. I will learn. I will challenge. I will persist.
I am not going anywhere.
I. Will. Not. Be. Quiet.
The Backstory
Originating in a small living room in Brooklyn, I Will Not Be Quiet is one chapter of a global, centuries-old story; one where intimate talking circles have proven to inspire individuals to come together, have constructive conversations about community, culture, politics and injustice among other topics, in a safe space, educate themselves on multifarious issues in our global society, and work in partnership to improve quality of life for all.
We unequivocally believe that the key to unlocking a society that serves all people and exists in harmony is consistent and honest communication coupled with education; where all are heard and none are judged. Where all issues and subjects are not only addressed, debated and discussed, but studied and explored from a range of perspectives.
The path to genuine change incorporates listening, accepting others, questioning, respectfully challenging, learning, collaborating and cooperating, but, you cannot begin the journey without empathy. The more we listen to understand, the stronger we are as a community.
Our Talking Circles
I Will Not Be Quiet has welcomed local activists to join our talking circles, from the American Civil Liberties Union and Her Justice to New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and the National Organization of Women. Discussions have been focused around the following topics:
- Understanding protesting rights
- Civic engagement
- Craftivism
- Paid family leave
- Child marriage
- Immigration
- Actions to combat gun violence
- NYC voting laws and advocacy
- Gender wage gap
“If you want people to listen to you, you have to listen to them. If you hope people will change how they live, you have to know how they live. If you want people to see you, you have to sit down with them eye-to-eye.”
Gloria Steinem, My Life on the Road