5 Ways You Can Change A Woman’s Life In 2015

Change is a scary concept. When most people (often myself included) think of change, they think it has to be something big. Something drastic, that takes up a lot of time and money.

And sometimes, yes, it does. More often, though, it doesn’t, which means you can change someone’s life without really affecting your own (apart from the slightly selfish sensation of enjoyment you get when you do something nice for another person).

In the spirit of Femsplain and helping out our fellow females, here are a few easy ways you can help change a woman’s life this year.

1. Donate to Femme International

Did you know girls in Kenya are missing about five days of school every month because of their periods — specifically because they can’t afford or don’t have access to sanitary napkins?

I don’t need to tell you this is ridiculous. Fortunately, even if you only have a few dollars to spare, you can help out one of these young women deal with her period properly. Skip a couple lattes or frappes or whatever your Starbucks beverage of choice is and use the money to donate a set of reusable pads or a menstrual cup via Femme International.

If you have a few more dollars to spare, donate a Femme Kit, which includes reusable pads or a menstrual cup, a tin bowl, a washcloth, a bar of soap and a handheld mirror.

If you have a lot of dollars to spare, you can donate enough Femme Kits for an entire classroom.

2. Or Find Another Women’s Organization To Support

I think a lot of people get into this bizarre mindset of, “Well, I can’t help everyone, so I won’t help anyone.” Look, nobody expects any one person to save the world. Find one cause you’re really passionate about and set up a monthly donation. It doesn’t have to be huge — a lot of organizations will let you specify whatever amount you want to donate, and those that don’t usually start with figures around $20 or $25. If you don’t have a cause in mind, here’s a pretty comprehensive list to get you started.

3. Become a Big Sister

Big Brother Big Sister programs are located all over America (and scattered throughout a few regions in Canada), mostly in major and smaller cities. Once you’re approved, the commitment is basically just a few hours a month and maybe the cost of lunch. If you check out the Real Life Stories section of the program’s site, you’ll see that some of these relationships have lasted years — you could make a major difference in a young woman’s life and gain a lifelong friendship.

4. Volunteer at Your Local Women’s Shelter

There are dozens of ways to help out the less fortunate women in your very own town. Shelters always need volunteers, whether it’s for sorting clothes, assisting the kitchen staff, or teaching job preparedness. Many also need virtual or remote help, with things like marketing or organizing online databases, so you can contribute without even leaving home. Go ahead and check out a directory of shelters in the U.S.

5. Respect Your Fellow Women’s Decisions

If you really don’t have the time or cash to spare, then as your “donation,” just be kinder and more respectful of your fellow ladies. Don’t judge each other for things that simply don’t matter. We don’t all have to be best friends, but we need to respect and support each other as women.

The next time one of your lady friends, co-workers, or relatives does or says something you don’t agree with, think of Amy Poehler. In her book, “Yes Please”, she reveals one of her (and now my) mottos: “Good for her! Not for me.”

All this means is, don’t judge women because they don’t have the same opinions and goals as you, or because they live their lives differently than you do. I see so many women hating and disrespecting other women over things that don’t even affect them. You want to have a baby? Great, go for it. I don’t want to, but the fact that you do has zero impact on my life, just like me not having kids has zero impact on yours. Let’s just all try to be happy for each other.

Say it with me now: “Good for her! Not for me.”