Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.
-Margaret Mead
(Barnard College, class of '23! I'm class of '09!) | | | The Pussyhat Project was created by a small group of people!
Download the print to see how 1 person became a group of 4, which became a group of 7, which became a movement of millions!
It's easy to doubt yourself in the beginning. We're just a small group of people, you might say. We've never done something like this before, you might say. I call these well-meaning, nay-saying thoughts "squelchers."
It's natural to have squelchers, but please, don't let that stop you. Persist! Resist! We need you and your small group to make effective change in this world.
The Pussyhat Project might seem ginormous, but really, it's just a bunch of small groups coming together and joining in, and feeling impassioned about a common cause.
Easy, right?
Another "squelcher" I hear a lot is, "oh, my <small group> doesn't do much, we're not like, national or whatever" - and to that I say noooooo, don't let that stop you, don't hold yourself to some arbitrary rubric that "national is better" or "only big organizations are valid" or "only official non-profits are worthwhile." Seriously, that is the patriarchy trying to tell you that the way you do things is wrong and they are hoping, rooting for you to be overwhelmed by these squelching thoughts and quit - don't let the patriarchy stop you! Understand that small change on a local level is valid, important, and most of all doable. And hopefully, the actions you take with your small group are pleasurable and fulfilling for you.
I invite you to check out this article:
5 Reasons to Build a Network of Small Groups Rather Than a Mass Movement of Individuals
He talks about how to shift the focus onto small groups, not worry about going national, and in the meantime, to document how your group functions so your successes can be replicated. I agree - documentation is important and I don't think the focus should always be on "being big" but instead on scalability. See if you can design your small group's project to be scalable - i.e. it works whether it is for a small or large group. When what you're doing works in your local community, and when you document how it works, you can share it with other communities so they can replicate your successes, and spread the means of effective change! Social media and the Internet makes the documenting and sharing so easy nowadays.
By the way, small groups can be political activism groups, but they can also be knitting circles! Choirs! Book clubs! Wherever you gather with your friends - that is an opportunity to create meaningful change in this world.
100 prints! This is the most gorgeous illustrated herstory you have EVER seen! I am giving away 100 art prints to y'all because I love you. Check out the new section of my website to order a free art print delivered straight to your door! And if all 100 are gone, you can get a free digital download instead! If you like, write back to me at heyitsme@kristasuh.com about how your small group is making a difference in your local community, I'd love to hear!
Lots of love, | | P.S. If you were forwarded this email from a friend, you can sign up for my email newsletter here.
P.P.S. For more advice on overcoming "idea squelchers" watch my speech at Barnard. | | | |
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