Gender Justice
In the spring of 2023, as part of Adelphi’s Social Action Initiative, 426 Adelphi social work students worked to pursue gender justice.
Gender injustice has harmed people in every society and culture throughout human history, and social workers have a responsibility and opportunity to advocate for justice in their communities and across the globe.
Through this Social Action Initiative, 284 students worked in groups to design and complete projects capturing the shared interests of group members while also addressing the overarching theme of gender justice. An additional 142 students engaged in activism in one of several events focusing on statewide policies and programs impacting gender justice.
Gender Justice and Reproductive Rights
Using Instagram, we spread awareness and information regarding reproductive rights and gender justice issues. The focus was to educate and better inform our target audience of Gen Z and Millennials of the current climate in terms of reproductive justice.
By creating an Instagram page that put a spotlight on gender justice and reproductive rights advocacy organizations, we were able to centralize information to publicize the many ways people in our community can become involved. We used hashtags such as #genderjusticeforall23 #womensrights #genderjustice to increase our reach to our target audiences in this fight for equality.
We designed a social media campaign via Instagram to highlight nonprofit organizations committed to supporting reproductive rights. We highlighted these various advocacy organizations’ campaigns to provide avenues for individuals to donate or get involved in the fight for gender justice for all.
Our project focused on uplifting the importance of postpartum care and advocating for models that have proven to:
- increase health outcomes for infants and parents,
- address access for low and middle-income families to better quality care,
- increase best care practices, all while proving to be cost-effective.
We created awareness on some of the gaps in reproductive rights coverage to better understand these issues as well as where to gather resources if needed. We completed two expert interviews to gain varying perspectives and insight from different professionals.
We conducted an expert interview with a lawyer specializing in reproductive law. We explored various aspects of the law, including specific legal issues of the recent reproductive law impacts on individuals belonging to oppressed groups in the U.S. The project aimed to inform social workers and others working with individuals who are at high risk of pregnancy.
We conducted an expert interview on gender justice and reproductive rights with Dr. Leah Hallow. She serves as co-chair on the JCAA Pride Committee and works as a staff clinical psychologist, specializing in children, adolescents, and young adults. The project aimed to reach individuals interested in understanding societal issues, their rights to bodily autonomy, and anyone passionate about social change and social justice.
We wrote a letter to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) concerning the overturn of Roe v. Wade and its impact on our community, even in a state (NY) where bodily autonomy rights have not been directly affected.
We conducted a series of interviews with individuals who have lived experiences of reproductive rights injustices. We also interviewed Planned Parenthood for additional insights. Our goal was to raise awareness about reproductive rights, particularly among women who often encounter complex issues like abortion, using real-life stories to support their cause.
We shed light on the gender justice and gender rights implications of Roe v. Wade, the landmark Supreme Court case that established a woman’s legal right to abortion. We believe that a nuanced understanding, through our YouTube video we created, of the impact of this case is necessary to advance gender justice and reproductive rights. By targeting social workers and gender justice advocates, we aimed to equip them with the knowledge to advocate for policies promoting reproductive justice and gender equity, recognizing social workers’ pivotal role in addressing societal inequities.
Our initiative established a Twitter presence to amplify the cause of gender justice and reproductive rights. Centered on women’s reproductive rights and the global impact, we engaged a primarily young adult audience through a thought-provoking Twitter poll, amid heightened polarization following the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Harnessing the power of Twitter, our initiative focused on gender justice and reproductive rights, particularly for women residing in the U.S. Through an impactful Twitter poll, we engaged and empowered young adults during a time of intensified division following the reversal of Roe v. Wade.
Utilizing the Twitter account @SWGenderJustice, we focused on amplifying reproductive rights and abortion access information. Through strategic engagement, including retweets, quotes, and original content, we harnessed research-backed insights and collective voices to drive awareness within the Twitter community.
Our media lab project was housed on Instagram where we were devoted to the topic of reproductive rights and gender justice. With diverse topics from LGBTQ+ matters to women’s rights, we crafted a diversity of perspectives, delving into issues such as gender and identity-related issues in the workforce, abortion, education, sexual assault, and more, unearthing a vivid spectrum of voices all advocating change.
Our mission united hearts and minds as we shed light on the alarming maternal mortality crisis among women of color in the US. Through poignant slides and heartfelt voiceovers, each member lent a powerful tribute to the lives lost, igniting a collective call for change.
Gender Justice and LGBTQ+ Populations
As “Social Justice Workers” under the handle msw_2023 on Twitter, we wielded the power of hashtags like #genderjusticelgbtqpopulation to fuel a movement of awareness. Our Twitter crusade unites LGBTQ+ voices and allies alike, sparking a fervent drive against social injustices, one tweet at a time.
Through an illuminating interview posted on Spotify with Karen Marder, Executive Director of Dutchess County Pride Center, our group unveils the vital role of this sanctuary. Delving into the center’s functions, we uncover its dedicated efforts to provide safety and support, fostering a sense of security for all LGBTQ+ individuals.
Our dynamic campaign on Instagram, based on gender justice and LGBTQ+ populations, merged literature insights, a poignant peer interview, and a heartfelt fundraising effort, where we rallied behind The Trevor Project. By amplifying awareness of LGBTQ+ challenges we raised over $250 towards crisis support for LGBTQ youth involved at The Trevor Project.
Our project sheds light on the wide-ranging disparities encountered by the LGBTQ+ community across employment, housing, mental health care, and pervasive discrimination. Through our powerful Public Service Announcement (PSA), we issue a resounding call to action, rallying for equal rights and fairness for this population. With its reach extended through YouTube, our message resonates with the general public, igniting awareness and fostering a drive towards equity and inclusivity.
The dynamic collaboration between our group and Nicole Wolfrath from the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County targeted the developmental needs of K-5th grade summer campers. Central to their mission is a pioneering effort to weave gender justice into the camp fabric through customized Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) training for their counselors. This visionary project involved crafting age-sensitive resources to foster a culture of acceptance for all campers.
Gender Justice and Equality
Our project centered on championing Gender Justice and Equality for women, recognizing the profound disparities that persist. To confront the breadth of these inequalities, we created a Facebook page. Our focus spanned a spectrum of vital areas: wages, income parity, leadership parity, STEM representation, political engagement, education, combatting domestic violence, supporting veterans, and combating human trafficking. Through this platform, we illuminate, educate, and unite, propelling transformative change for women across these crucial domains.
Our focus of this expert interview is on the glaring reality of transgender discrimination in healthcare. We aim to forge a path to educate and challenge the prejudiced landscape that transgender folk consistently encounter.
This expert interview, with Dr. Oliver Crespo, discusses the intersections between social work and gender justice related to equality.
Gender Justice and Work Equality
Encompassing various viewpoints, our project aimed to underscore the significance of our topic of gender equality through equal pay. Through a collective letter to the EEOC, we harnessed the power of social media, peer voices, and personal insights to champion change and ignite awareness on this critical issue.
With a shared passion for addressing workplace gender injustice, our project engaged a diverse audience, spanning genders and races, on Twitter. Through a live Q&A we shed light on inequalities while piquing curiosity, drawing attention to our page, and fostering an informed dialogue.
We facilitated individual interviews regarding workforce inequality/equity issues from the perspectives of male, female, and transgender interviewees through a 10-minute StoryCorps discussion. The interviewees brought different experiences and insights derived from their particular roles in their agencies. Our goal was to elevate the experiences and voices of people who have been affected by workplace inequalities.
Gender Justice and Safety
We centered on gender and nighttime safety by first creating a survey. Through these insights, we created artwork and images for social media (Instagram), highlighted a vital issue of nighttime safety for those who identify as women.
Gender Justice and Criminal Justice
Our project delved into the lives of three individuals with incarceration histories revealing the intricacies of a justice system that often falls short. Their stories traverse gender identities, cultural backgrounds, origins, struggles, and unwavering resilience in the face of adversity. Targeted toward advocates of prison and criminal justice reform, our initiative showcases these narratives on StoryCorps and other social networks.
Our project focuses on the inequalities faced by incarcerated women and their reintegration into society. Through interviews with impacted women, particularly mothers, we aimed to understand their experiences, needs, and shortcomings of the criminal justice system, allowing their voices to highlight the urgent changes required. Targeting both affected women and society at large, our efforts, showcased on StoryCorps, shed light on the intersection of gender and criminal discrimination, advocating for improved services and reform. Our group members wanted our audience to be women who are going through similar injustices as them. Additionally, it is for society to understand how much previously incarcerated women experience both gender and criminal discrimination. As a result, in uplifting their stories and learning their truth, aims to advocate for access to and improvement of services. We were able to successfully upload our interviews to StoryCorps, which allows communities to listen to these stories and understand the cause.
Our impactful PSA confronts the stark reality of gender discrimination and harassment faced by female police officers within their own ranks. Targeting social workers and the community, the video not only sheds light on this issue but also offers actionable steps for advocacy and change. Shared on YouTube, our message aims to empower a broad audience to be catalysts for a fairer future.
Featuring an illuminating interview with Helen ‘Skip’ Skipper, a former inmate turned advocate who is now Executive Director of the NYC Justice Peer Initiative, we addressed the intricate relationship between gender justice and the criminal system through an exploration of the challenges and potential improvements. Our target audience of social workers and community members is urged to take action and advocate for gender-sensitive programming for women who are incarcerated, appropriate visitation spaces to build connections with their children, and other actionable solutions unveiled in the following video:
In our pursuit of gender justice, our project focused on women’s access to justice within the criminal justice system. We hosted a live Q&A session via Twitter, delivering insights and perspectives to those who rely on the platform for their informational needs.
Gender Justice and Children
We conducted an insightful expert interview with Stacey Thomson, LCSW, drawing on her valuable experience within a women’s shelter. With a focus on women and children, her perspective sheds light on critical aspects of their challenges and needs.
We initiated a dynamic social media campaign on Instagram, drawing attention to the urgent issue of gender-based violence against children. Through impactful infographics and images, accompanied by the hashtag #equalrights4kids under the account adelphisw2023, we ignited conversations and spread awareness, aiming to foster a society where every child is bestowed with equal rights and opportunities.
Our project focused on gender justice and children, highlighting gender inequality in education. We explored this topic to bring awareness via a Twitter campaign:
A legislative letter-writing campaign to raise awareness of the impacts of gender inequality that inhibits reaching the goal of equal educational opportunity and educational excellence across the nation.
We conducted a Twitter Q&A addressing the topic of gender justice for children with the goals of raising awareness and connecting with like-minded organizations and activists to amplify the cause.
Our group created a podcast focused on the unfair criminalization of gay and transgender youth. Through interviews with those with lived experience, we explored the intricate web of medical, legal, and social dimensions of this marginalized population, alongside unraveling the emotional turmoil experienced by LGBTQ+ youth.
Our project spotlighted the pervasive gender injustice prevalent in early education settings, highlighting the impact of societal norms on young children. Addressing forced gender-based choices and reactions, we made a video to catalyze change. With a focus on empowering children’s independent self-discovery, our target audience is educators and professionals in educational environments. Leveraging social media, we amplified our message, advocating for a paradigm shift in early education that lets kids authentically and freely explore their identities.
Gender Justice and Families
We created an Instagram page (@socialaction23) focused on unpaid family caregivers who selflessly care for individuals with dementia. Recognizing the gender justice dimension, often women, these caregivers sacrifice earnings to provide optimal care for their loved ones. We spotlighted the often-overlooked disparities faced by informal caregivers, from inadequate training to lack of compensation and paid leave options.
This project focuses on gender justice within the family unit through a PPT and short interview. Despite advancements like increased female workforce participation, enduring gendered expectations in households hinder women’s career growth due to unequal domestic responsibilities. To achieve true gender equality, it’s crucial to challenge norms, support work-life balance, and advocate for shared parenting through policy changes.
Social Action Events
Planned Parenthood Day of Action
January 24, 2023, Albany NY
A group of Adelphi social work students teamed up with over 70 activists, advocates, and backers from throughout the state. Together, they pushed for comprehensive sex education for all young people in New York, the approval of the equal rights amendment, the promotion of reproductive and sexual health budget allocations (which involved raising Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers), and the assurance of funding for the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program. During this effort, Adelphi students engaged in discussions with legislative representatives and participated in a rally alongside key supporters of the cause within the State.
Following this event, there was a swift success: the Equal Rights Amendment was successfully passed in both the Senate and the Assembly!
New York State Social Work Legislative Education and Activism Day
March 8, 2023, Albany NY
Adelphi’s social work students attended a demonstration organized by food workers advocating for fair pay and gender equality. They also organized their own rally alongside fellow social work students from various parts of the state. During this event, they were inspired by speeches from legislators who are leading the way on specific bills. Subsequently, the students held meetings with legislative representatives to advocate for these bills. In addition, the students visited the Assembly members’ chamber, where they listened to testimonials in observance of Women’s History Month, followed by speeches commemorating Social Work Month.
Cancer Action Network’s Cancer Action Day
April 25, 2023, Albany NY
Collaborating with activists statewide, Adelphi’s social work students orchestrated more than 80 sessions with legislators. Their objective was to secure backing for legislation that guarantees endorsement and coverage for precision medicine—an approach that ensures timely and suitable treatments, thereby mitigating inequalities in cancer care. As a result of this event, the number of bill sponsors from the state’s Assembly and Senate saw substantial growth.
NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence Day of Action
May 2, 2023, Albany NY
Adelphi’s social work students united with activists and backers from all corners of the state to deliver a strong and unmistakable message: Domestic Violence programs are on the verge of crisis. They emphasized that without action from New York, survivors within the state would face significant consequences. This collective of advocates engaged in a rally, held meetings with legislators and highlighted the detrimental effects experienced by survivors and programs due to budget cuts, complicated contracting procedures, and inadequate compensation for many domestic violence workers. These advocacy endeavors resulted in the Senate’s passage of a legislative package centered on the rights of domestic violence and sexual violence survivors.
Gender Inclusion Curriculum Development Summit for Girl Scouts of Suffolk County
March 8, 2023, Garden City NY
Adelphi’s social work students came together for an extensive summit, facilitated by social work faculty, staff, and leaders from the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County. During this event, they worked collectively to create resources for interactive training initiatives. These programs are designed for Girl Scouts staff members, equipping them with social work-oriented methods for engaging with girls in grades 6-9. The aim is to foster and encourage values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging. Additionally, the training addresses the promotion of healthy development and the proper expression of gender and cultural identity, as well as enhancing self-esteem.
Social Action Project Coordinators
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PhD•LICSW•LMSW•CSW-G•QDCS
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516.877.4392
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Social Work Building 333
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Contact-
516.877.4392
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Social Work Building