Social Justice
Read about the newest efforts to overthrow systemic inequalities and address injustices in terms of wealth, opportunities, and privileges to make the world a better place.
Hairdressers against domestic abuse and climate change
We decided to upcycle this older article with a great solution and a little update. Beauticians against abuse A law in Tennessee harnesses the unique position of beauty professionals to help identify victims of domestic abuse. Enforced on the first day of 2022, the law requires hairstylists Read More...
Tree cities: regreening and making cities more climate-resilient
We decided to revamp a story about a wonderful solution: tree cities. At The Optimist Daily, as you’ve probably guessed, we love solutions for urban green spaces. We’ve written quite a bit about these, with their ability to offset carbon emissions, help grow food, and help animals and Read More...
Chicago will give 500 dollars each to 5,000 households
Sometimes, getting money to those who need it can become a complicated task. Organizations aiming to provide health or living relief can do great work, but not everyone needs help with healthcare or rent. Additionally, organizations that require oversight require staff, and that costs more Read More...
6 ways to bring the Juneteenth celebration to work this year
Last year, Juneteenth was proclaimed a federal holiday, meaning this year is set to be the first time many organizations and businesses will celebrate and observe this meaningful and historic day. On top of giving employees the day off to rest, it’s worth considering celebrating Juneteenth Read More...
The Giving House: bringing hope and joy to families affected by domestic violence
Cindy McCarley like so many others has endured and survived domestic abuse. As a wife and mother of four, she felt powerless to leave her abusive partner, fearing that she wouldn’t be able to provide for her children on her own. This concern for her children and ensuring that they Read More...
Fair scheduling practices boost retail sales and employee well-being
Retail stores are notorious for unpredictable work schedules. Employees are often called in last-minute or sent home well before the end of their scheduled shift. They’ll work late one day and then open the store the next day, a practice known as “clopening.” This intense variation in work Read More...
The VEST “hackathon”: designing safety vests for everyone
Despite its importance, a lot of construction wear isn’t made for comfort, especially if you don’t have a “default male body”. With a wide range of body types in the construction industry and its growing diversity, construction wear seems to operate on a one-size-fits-all standard, even Read More...
Changing lives with Debate Mate
For London trial attorney, Margaret McCabe, debate changed her life. It gave her the confidence to appear in court, to talk, and to argue for a living. She decided to bring debating to youth in London and started the nonprofit Debate Mate. We sat down with McCabe, founder and CEO of Debate Read More...
Chicago Connected gave internet to 64,000 children in need
When the Pandemic hit and students went home for school, many lower-income families were disadvantaged due to a lack of reliable internet. In Chicago, many students in lower-income neighborhoods couldn’t get their work done, so the city decided to take action. In March 2020, the city started Read More...
Watchdogs zero in on greenwashing financial institutions
Individuals and companies around the world are looking to invest with their conscience and only support eco-friendly enterprises. Many fund managers noticed the rise in popularity of funds in line with ecological, social, and governance (ESG) principles and embellished how green they Read More...