Take Action

Get
Involved.

You don't need to write a check to make a difference. From volunteering locally in Denver to amplifying national campaigns online, there's a role for everyone — right now.

Student Actions Ways to Help (Free) Denver & Colorado National & Global
For Students

Make Change From School

You don't need to wait until you're older to make a real difference. These actions are designed specifically for high school students — no money, no car, no problem.

Write to Your Local Representatives

A letter from a student constituent is one of the most effective — and underused — tools in advocacy. Local and state representatives pay attention to mail from young voters-to-be. You can write to your Colorado state senator or representative about any issue: reproductive rights, equal pay, Title IX enforcement, or school curriculum. Keep it personal, specific, and under one page.

Find your rep leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator
US reps congress.gov — find your member
Letter guide NOW's how-to-write guide

Start or Circulate a Petition

A petition is a fast, visible way to build collective voice around an issue — at school, in your district, or online. Focus your petition on something specific and actionable: adding a women's history unit to your school curriculum, requesting a school policy change, or calling on your principal to address gender-based bullying. The more signatures from real people in your community, the more weight it carries.

Create a petition change.org
Activist toolkit actionnetwork.org — free for grassroots groups

Organize a Club Event or Campaign

Use the DSA WRC platform to host an awareness event right at school. Ideas include a lunch-hour tabling session with facts about gender inequality, a film screening with a discussion afterward, a letter-writing day where club members write to representatives together, or a "know your rights" workshop. Events don't need to be big — a well-run small event creates lasting impact and grows your club's reach.

Event planning Amnesty International's activist toolkit
Free films Women's Media Center — resources & content

Speak at a School Board Meeting

School boards make real decisions about curricula, safety policies, Title IX implementation, and more — and public comment is open to students. Denver Public Schools holds regular board meetings that include a public comment period. You can sign up to speak on any topic in under two minutes. Showing up as a student is powerful on its own; speaking is even more so.

DPS Board dpsk12.org — Board of Education
Public comment guide ACLU — Know Your Student Rights

Write an Op-Ed for Your School Paper

Student journalism is one of the most effective platforms available to you. An op-ed in your school newspaper reaches every student, teacher, and administrator in your building. Write about an issue you care about — dress code double standards, the gender pay gap, healthcare access, or a local policy — and back it up with facts from our Facts & Stats page. First-person student voices change minds in ways that statistics alone can't.

Writing guide Ms. Magazine — feminist journalism reference
Stats to cite Facts & Stats — DSA WRC

Register to Pre-Register to Vote

Colorado allows 16- and 17-year-olds to pre-register to vote so they're automatically registered when they turn 18. Voting in local elections — school board, city council, state legislature — is where women's rights policy is made and won. Get pre-registered today, and then help your classmates do the same.

Pre-register (CO) coloradosos.gov — Colorado voter registration
Youth voting rockthevote.org

You are never too young to be an activist. Every one of these actions is protected by your First Amendment rights as a student — the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the right of students to engage in non-disruptive political expression in schools.

No Money Needed

How to Help Without Donating

Every one of these actions is completely free — and every single one creates real impact.

Show Up & Speak Up

Attend school board meetings, city council hearings, or community forums where women's rights, healthcare, and equity are discussed. Your presence and voice matter — officials pay attention to who shows up.

Tip You can attend Denver City Council meetings in person or watch online at denvergov.org

Share & Amplify

Follow and repost organizations like UN Women, NOW, and WFCO on social media. Sharing accurate information and petitions reaches people who might not otherwise see it.

Write to Your Representatives

A handwritten letter or email to your Colorado state representative or US senator costs nothing but time — and carries real weight. Elected officials track constituent contact on every issue.

Find your rep leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator

Volunteer Your Time

Local shelters, legal clinics, and advocacy organizations run on volunteer power. Many have flexible options — a few hours on a weekend can directly support women in crisis. See the local organizations below for sign-up links.

Sign Petitions

Organizations like NOW, ACLU, and Change.org run petitions on reproductive rights, equal pay, and more. Signing takes under a minute and adds your name to a collective voice.

Start Conversations

One of the most powerful things you can do is talk — with friends, family, and classmates. Sharing what you've learned about gender inequality, health disparities, or local resources changes minds and opens doors.

Write & Create

Write an op-ed for your school paper. Start a blog. Create art or graphics about women's rights. Share poetry, music, or stories that center women's experiences. Creative expression is a form of activism.

Stay Informed & Vote

When you turn 18, vote in every election — local, state, and federal. In the meantime, learn about ballot issues, help register voters, and encourage the adults in your life to show up for candidates who support women's rights.

Register coloradosos.gov — Colorado makes it easy

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

— Margaret Mead
Denver & Colorado

Local Organizations

These organizations are doing critical work right here in Colorado — many offer volunteer shifts, advocacy roles, and community events you can join.

Denver Volunteer

The Women's Foundation of Colorado (WFCO)

Colorado's only statewide foundation dedicated to advancing gender, racial, and economic equity for women and families. WFCO has granted over $33 million to nonprofits statewide and takes active positions on legislation each session. They welcome volunteers for committees, their annual luncheon, and advocacy outreach — especially for those who want to engage without donating.

Based in: Denver, CO Focus: Economic equity, policy, grantmaking
Volunteer with WFCO Visit website →
Denver Shelter Support

The Delores Project

A Denver-based nonprofit providing shelter and supportive housing to women and gender-expansive people experiencing homelessness. They rely heavily on community volunteers for meal prep and serving, activities, and operational support. Last year, 621 unique volunteers contributed their time. Flexible shifts are available on weekdays and weekends.

Based in: Denver, CO Focus: Homelessness, housing, gender equity
Sign Up to Volunteer Visit website →
Denver Shelter Support

Sacred Heart House of Denver

A transitional housing program specifically for single women and mothers with children who are experiencing homelessness. Volunteers help with meals, childcare, tutoring, life skills workshops, and community events. It's one of Denver's longest-running organizations dedicated specifically to women in need.

Based in: Denver, CO Focus: Homeless women & families, transitional housing
Volunteer Here Visit website →
Colorado Advocacy

Zonta Club of Denver

Part of Zonta International — a global network of professionals advocating for women's rights through service and advocacy. The Denver chapter has donated over $2 million and hundreds of thousands of service hours since 1927. They meet monthly and welcome community engagement at events. Great for students interested in connecting with professional advocates.

Based in: Denver, CO Focus: Professional advocacy, scholarships, community service
Visit Zonta Denver Learn more →
Colorado Reproductive Justice

Colorado Doula Project

A volunteer-based organization that provides free abortion doula support to people seeking abortions in Colorado. Volunteers are trained as certified abortion doulas and provide emotional support, practical help, and companionship. An online self-directed training course makes it accessible. CDP serves the Denver metro area, Boulder, Fort Collins, and Colorado Springs.

Based in: Colorado (statewide) Focus: Reproductive justice, abortion access, emotional support
Become a Volunteer Visit website →
National & Global

Bigger Picture Organizations

These national and global groups tackle systemic change — from legislation to international law. Many offer ways to get involved from anywhere.

Global

UN Women

The United Nations body for gender equality. Follow their campaigns, share their content, participate in the Generation Equality movement, and sign their global petitions. Young people can join the Youth Advisory Group and the Generation Equality Forum.

Get Involved Website →
US National

National Organization for Women (NOW)

The largest feminist grassroots organization in the US. Join or start a local chapter, attend rallies, sign action alerts, and contact legislators through their Action Center. All free — and they're especially active around elections.

Take Action Website →
US National

ACLU

The American Civil Liberties Union fights for women's rights in courts, legislatures, and communities. Sign up for action alerts, join campaigns for reproductive rights and equal pay, and use their tools to contact your representatives. Free and powerful.

Take Action Website →
Global

Malala Fund

Fight for every girl's right to 12 years of free, quality education. Follow their campaigns, share their stories, join Assembly (their digital community for changemakers), and take part in their Days for Girls school supply drives.

Get Involved Website →
US National

Planned Parenthood Action Fund

The advocacy arm of Planned Parenthood. Sign petitions, contact elected officials, participate in "Text for PP" campaigns, and attend community events. Especially active around state and federal legislative sessions affecting reproductive rights.

Take Action Website →
US National

Girls Who Code

Closing the gender gap in tech starts young. Volunteer as a facilitator or coding mentor for Girls Who Code clubs, or help start a club at your own school. Especially meaningful if you have programming skills you want to share.

Get Involved Website →

The movement needs you.

Whether it's an hour volunteering, a post shared, or a letter mailed — every action is a vote for the world you want to live in.

Know the Facts More Organizations