Women of Color on the Front Lines

Women of Color on the Front Lines is a video series produced by Shelterforce and Community Change. The series profiles women who are fighting today’s most pressing issues in communities across the U.S.—including in New Jersey, Michigan, Louisiana, California, and Washington state. If you know a woman of color who should be featured in this series, please contact us at articles@shelterforce.org

Cynthia Wiggins—A Community Leader in New Orleans

Cynthia Wiggins was introduced to housing organizing earlier on in life and has been ceaseless in her efforts to help her community.

A Note From Our Publisher—Lifting Up Women’s Voices

There are countless women who are driven to turn up the volume of their voices when faced with unfair circumstances. As the publisher of Shelterforce, I am privileged to lead a publication that makes way for many of these voices to be heard.

Omari Ho-Sang—A Housing Activist in Louisiana

March being Women’s History Month—an ideal time to celebrate the brave, bold, and thoughtful women who are influencing history—Shelterforce and Community Change have decided to continue the video series: Women of Color on the Front Lines.

Mattye Berry-Evans, a Member of the Resident Action Network

“Each and every person should have the opportunity to have safe, secure, adequate, and affordable housing. I wasn't able to have it, but I can help others have it.”
The card for Women of Color, an interview with Kea Mathis.

Through Her Eyes: Community Organizing in Detroit

Kea Mathis organizes alongside tenants—mostly Black, women-led households—to create and support affordable, quality housing. "It is very hard . . . as a Black woman here, to be the one to try to ask the question first or stand up first,” says Mathis.
Jennifer Made, a Newark, New Jersey, native who formed the Newark Community Action Network.

Building Community Power in Newark, NJ

Jennifer Made started organizing at 13 and began feeding her community at 19, an effort that grew into the Newark Community Action Network.

Her Story, Her Power—a Shelterforce Webinar

Schlonn Hawkins, CEO and publisher of Shelterforce, moderated “Her Story, Her Power,” a discussion with four women of color who shared their unique journeys of leading change and fighting injustice.