About Us

Women AdvaNCe is the megaphone for women and marginalized communities in North Carolina. We follow the needs of underserved populations, uplift the discussions that matter to the women in our state, and inform our readers about all the work that leaders across the state are doing to advance women’s rights in North Carolina. Through storytelling and advocacy work, we are shifting the culture and policies in our state toward justice and equity.

Women in our state, especially disabled women, LGBTQ+ women, and women of color, are too often silenced or discouraged from raising concerns about justice and equity. We cannot build a world where everyone can thrive without hearing these stories. We know that by shedding light on the issues impacting our communities, we are changing the world.

We do this work because it works. More than anything else, evidence shows that stories are most effective at changing hearts and minds. We’ve seen it happen. Our work has informed perspectives of leaders across our state, from Congressional Representatives and state legislators to investigative journalists and nonprofit leaders.

By sharing the stories of women in our state, we’ve already helped change our state’s policies and culture for the better — and we’re only just getting started.

Our Mission

Women AdvaNCe is an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of North Carolina’s women and families by providing education and encouraging constructive public dialogue about progressive ideas and public policy initiatives.

We empower North Carolina women by creating a network charged with progressing social change. Our nonprofit organization unites women to share their stories and help create a fair chance for every woman and every family.

Women AdvaNCe:

  • Impact the quantity and quality of media coverage of women’s issues; shape the debate on NC issues critical to women and their families; and, subsequently amplify the effect on a National level
  • Develop bold new initiatives to benefit and support North Carolina’s women and their families
  • Empower citizens to become better civic leaders and more informed voters by providing education and opportunities for public dialogue.
  • Draw attention to regressive policies that are aimed at limiting women’s rights and negatively impacting their families.
  • Educate emerging women public leaders who have a firm commitment to reproductive health choices, empowering them to become powerful leaders who are effective in the democratic process.

Our Story

In 2012 a group of North Carolina women, frustrated by lack of honest and relevant coverage of issues facing women and their families got together to create a new way to advocate and communicate information helpful to ALL women across North Carolina. Thus Women AdvaNCe was born, an independent nonpartisan educational institute dedicated to improving the lives of North Carolina’s women and families by providing education and encouraging constructive public dialogue about progressive ideas and public policy initiatives.

We are committed to an inclusive environment that values and respects diversity of culture and identity.