How Sarah Bagley Changed the Labor Movement
Almost 50 years before Labor Day became an official federal holiday in the U.S., women in Massachusetts were advocating for fair and safe working conditions. Sarah Bagley was at the center of that historic movement. In 1844, while serving as the president of the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association, she organized textile workers and trained them how to testify before lawmakers. Sarah's petitions led to a legislative hearing about heinous factory conditions. What is the state of labor movements around the world today?
Coalition Efforts to Save Afghan Allies
When foreign troops started to leave Afghanistan in May, the Taliban tried, yet largely failed, to regain control of the country. While they were successful in rural areas, they failed to overtake major cities until this week. Now, the Taliban has overwhelmed nine provincial capitals and controls all but three major cities. Afghan nationals have been instrumental in U.S.-led military efforts, including serving as guides and interpreters. With the U.S. military leaving Afghanistan, those Afghan citizens and their families might be in imminent danger. What can we do?
The Rise of Extremism in Mozambique
In Cabo Delgado, Mozambique's northern province, violence has escalated to the point of needing foreign assistance. This month, at least 1,000 Rwandan soldiers deployed to Mozambique to protect civilians from Ansar-al-Sunna, an armed extremist group with alleged links to ISIS. Chance Briggs of Save the Children said, "This violence has to stop, and displaced families need to be supported as they find their bearings and recover from the trauma.” What can we tell friends about this crisis and how can we help?
Uneven Bars for Hmong Refugees
As the first Hmong American Olympian and the first Asian American woman to win gold in the all-around finals, Sunisa "Suni" Lee has soared to new heights! Americans and members of the Hmong diaspora around the world are overjoyed about Lee's Olympic accomplishments. In fact, today has been declared "Suni Lee Day" across Minnesota. Last year this time, Hmong refugees in the U.S. were facing a potential increase in deportations. Is that still the case today and how can we support them?
Bringing Indigenous Children Home
Last month, U.S. Secretary Deb Haaland published an op-ed about the terrifying history of residential boarding schools for Native American children. She wrote, "We have a generation of lost or injured children who are now the lost or injured aunts, uncles, parents and grandparents of those who live today." Some of those lost children's remains were finally laid to rest this summer, after being discovered in the U.S. and Canada. What do we need to know about this history and how can we help?
Invictus: South Africa's Unconquerable Soul
South Africans have lived through several days of protests and looting. With more than 100 people dead, this marks the deadliest period of violent unrest since the end of South Africa's infamous apartheid regime in 1994. What sparked this week's chaos and which organizations are working to solve the country's toughest challenges?