Something EPIC just happened, and we’re here to celebrate it.
Future Forward Women wants you to have more power.
It’s been a while, I know. So much has happened since we last connected. For starters, I am devastated by the mass layoffs of federal workers by DOGE, a workforce that is nearly 50 percent women, and the threats to Medicaid and SNAP benefits that will impact millions of women and families across the country. Not to mention Executive Order 14168 and the chilling attacks on student leaders on college campuses, as well as the universities themselves.
Plus, my local grocer is rationing eggs.
—This dizzying chaos and disruption has taken place less than two months (TWO MONTHS!) into the Trump Administration and before it has had the opportunity to direct its ire specifically at women (it’s coming). I have an anecdote to the madness.
For the last few months (and about a year and a half before that), I have been working hard to bring an EPIC idea to life: Future Forward Women. It’s a bold, new national effort to build women’s power and influence, and to win big for women and families in all 50 states.
Future Forward Women’s Launch on International Women’s Day
On International Women’s Day this past Saturday, Future Forward Women officially launched with over 400 of our closest friends at the Meteor’s Meet the Moment Event at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City. There, I was in conversation with Jen Klein, former director of the White House’s Gender Policy Council and Versha Sharma, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue. It was a whirlwind of great ideas and excitement.
U.S. Women’s Power and Influence Index: A state-by-state ranking of where women have the most and least power.
Future Forward Women also released its latest report, the U.S. Women’s Power and Influence Index, at Meet the Moment. The Index confirms that the states where women have the least power and influence are also those where women are most likely to live in poverty, earn less, and have fewer women- and family-friendly public policies.
Washington D.C. and Massachusetts occupy the two spots in the Index, and Alabama and Mississippi vie for the bottom two. Find out where your state ranks.
The Index was also featured in Fortune Magazine’s MYP Newsletter--These are the U.S. states where women are the most—and least—likely to wield power.
What’s up with The Perfect 10?
The Perfect 10 is expanding. Along with commentary, in the weeks ahead, the newsletter will include interviews with influential and visionary leaders, book reviews, and featured guests.
I can’t wait to share my interview with Vanessa Priya Daniel, founder of Groundswell and author of Unrig the Game: What Women of Color Can Teach Everyone About Winning, and MacArthur Genius, author and President of the National Domestic Workers Alliance, Ai-jen Poo.
Now more than ever, we must listen to, learn from, and stay connected to courageous leaders and thinkers who are unwavering in their commitment to truth, justice, and freedom amid everything happening around us.
One last Thing--My BIG Hunch!
Future Forward Women started with a hunch and a belief: When women hold more power and influence in society and the world, their lives will be better—economically, culturally, and politically— along with those of their families and the communities they care about most. It’s that simple.
We need more power. We keep losing because we don’t have enough—at least not enough to elect a woman president, shut down harmful laws or legislation, or pass common-sense laws and policies that would improve our lives and make them easier. But we change that.
I am ready to meet the moment, and I hope you’ll join me.
P.S. At Meet the Moment, I was asked how I find joy, peace and laughter these days. Here’s my answer.
In Joy and Solidarity,
Nicole
Future Forward Women - for the win! The Meet the Moment event, where Future Forward Women launched, was buzzing! Everyone is looking forward to something we can hold onto and give us [positive!] momentum right now.