Myra Sadker Foundation

This list includes more than
100 ways
for you to break gender barriers.

Have a good idea? Send it to us!
We would love
to add your ideas
to this list.


100+ Ideas to Promote Gender Equity in Schools and Beyond

Establish an award to recognize children who promote equity Do a play about gender equity in school Write an equity column or article in the paper Organize a walk, race, or athletic event for equity Generate a timeline on the women's movement Analyze books for bias Honor people who foster gender equity in their work and life spirit Visit a women's college Talk with parenting fathers Train staff to eliminate sexist language Have children interview non-traditional workers, role models Develop posters that promote equity Take youngsters to a women's athletic event Create a videotape on gender equity Reformulate or construct an equitable workplace Monitor a school or district for equity Create a non-sexist career festival Plan cross-age activities on gender equity Do a research project on gender bias Award a gender equity scholarship Quilt for gender equity Invite guest speakers on equity topics Organize a joint equity project with an organization Present an equity workshop at a conference Observe classrooms to detect bias in interactions Search websites for gender equity issues Create bias buster groups Develop and share a local gender resource list Manage an equity booth at a toy, computer, or grocery store Engage media personnel to acknowledge the day Lobby the state or city government to support equity Train media representatives on subtle bias Give Failing at Fairness by the Sadkers to someone as a gift Set up a mentoring or shadowing project Study how religion and gender intersect in life Try activity that is non-traditional for your gender Develop effective strategies to manage gender "put downs" and share your results Conduct a workshop for support personnel to minimize bias and discriminatory actions Develop and teach a lesson on gender equity Read non-sexist stories to children Create a program to "teach today's boys to be tomorrow's dads" Design a local calendar of famous equity events and leaders Sponsor a poster, essay, or music contest that promotes equity Analyze greeting cards for stereotypes Create a non-sexist bibliography of children’s books Create bookmarks that remind readers of equity Thank a significant mentor, model or learner Record your own biases from childhood and identify the ones you've overcome Plan a conference, workshop or meeting related to gender equity Create a coalition meeting of local equity advocates Publicly protest a company that supports a sexist policy Lobby a women's issue in a government arena Seek or provide funding to develop a gender fair curriculum unit Study the intersection of gender and other equity issues (race, class, etc.) Analyze TV, radio and newspapers for fairness Create a time capsule for equity in the 21st century Create a website or blog on gender equity Submit a grant proposal to balance programs for males and females Sponsor a diversity meeting or club at school Create a quote of the week board that presents famous and diverse voices Talk with a colleague from a different racial or ethnic background and examine gendered views Create a parents' booster club that promotes equitable school programs Compile a list, collage, poster or bulletin board of non-traditional heroes Examine class enrollments, by gender, in all upper school programs Acquire or donate funds to purchase equity materials Redesign the logo or mascot of your office or school to be more inclusive Write a public service announcement regarding equity and submit it to a radio station Check-out the gender enrollments in sports programs Focus on linguistic bias as you edit language in a brochure, newsletter or fictional story Have female business owners speak to students Have diverse parents talk about gender in their work and family Research gender disparities in drug and alcohol use at your school Design a board or computer game that highlights famous equity advocates Create a Hall of Fame of females and males in non-traditional leadership roles Have your Title IX Coordinator present to your group Do a site exam of your hallways to see if visuals affirm or undermine gender balance Write a report on a civil rights advocate of the opposite sex Volunteer to assist Girls Inc., Girl Scouts, and others with funding Talk with your children about gender Have youngsters read and discuss New Moon Magazine Model non-stereotypical play with children Schedule a meeting with a principal, president or CEO to talk about gender equity Learn about your sexual harassment policy Cook with a boy, play a sport with a girl Write a letter to an editor about illegal gender practices Blow the whistle on Title IX non-compliance Read a story with a female protagonist Analyze a teacher education video for bias Work with teen parents on child rearing skills Visit your Boys and Girls Club to learn about their gender inclusive programs Volunteer your group at a shelter and avoid stereotypical tasks Find out all you can about Title IX and make certain your school is complying Alert others to gender bashing music Use the internet to discuss gender politics Identify and honor males who break gender barriers List what non-traditional tasks you do Run for an elected office and promote equity Train others to respond to sexist jokes Promote a non-sexist book or film Develop "baseball cards" of famous women Design a short and long range plan for equity Kick-off a yearlong event that focuses on equity Research standardized test data by gender Visit the Dads and Daughters website Generate your own idea and send it to us!

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