Women Igniting Change‪®‬ Robbin Jorgensen

“I want to share this keynote with you because we stand at a critical moment in time for women’s rights. And it is going to take all of us standing up and speaking out in order to stop the erosion that all of the women before us fought so hard for,” says Robbin Jorgensen. In this episode of Women Igniting Change, Robbin reflects on the Seneca Falls Convention, the first women’s rights convention in America held 176 years ago. She shares her experience delivering the keynote at the 170th anniversary in 2018, highlighting the ongoing struggle for women’s rights.
 
Robbin’s emotional journey through the historical sites of Seneca Falls connects deeply with the bravery of the women who fought for our rights. She underscores the progress made and the work still needed, urging listeners to rise, overcome self-doubt, and make meaningful impacts. With examples of trailblazing women like Rosa Parks, Rachel Carson, and Nancy Brinker, Robbin calls us to action, emphasizing the responsibility to consider the impact of our actions on future generations and continue the legacy of the first wave of women’s rights advocates.
 
Quotes
“We’ve come so far since the days that they demanded the right to vote and to be treated as equal citizens. And, ladies and men, we still have work to do. With everything that they created and all of the progress that’s happened, it’s been 170 years and we are still shouting to be heard in boardrooms, in workplaces, and in communities around the world.” (03:49 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“170 years ago, they had pens and voices. And look at the extraordinary milestones that they were able to change, to create, to enact. They did all of this without the telephone, without mass communication, without planes, and without social media.” (04:43 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“We still have these powerful tools of pens and voices, and the resources to use those tools to impact millions of people with our message in a matter of minutes. We can connect instantly to women on the other side of the world, share our stories, and better understand the human experience. In developing countries, women are still fighting for their right to an education, for equal access to decent jobs, and to be able to think, act, and be in the world as themselves, independent of any man.” (05:03 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“Those limiting beliefs are not your truth. Your truth is that you are meant to shine your light and show up as the fullest expression of who you are as a human being.” (08:24 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“This is our moment in history to pick up the mantle and be the next wave, to advocate and fight for women’s rights. We are the next wave who will not allow the opinion of others to drown out our own voice. We are the next wave who will fight for our rights in the U.S. and for women around the world. We are the next wave who will no longer allow gender inequality to define our reality. We are the next wave who will complete the work towards gender equality that began 170 years ago right here where you stand. I say we because I am right there with you. We're in this together.” (09:22 | Robbin Jorgensen)
 
Links
Connect with Robbin Jorgensen (She/Her):
Website: https://womenignitingchange.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-igniting-change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbin.jorgensen/
 
Declaration of Sentiments
Women's Rights National Historic Park
 

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Hey, changemakers! Today, Robbin introduces an invaluable framework to help you organize and realize the social impact you aim to achieve. In this episode of Women Igniting Change, she guides you through a seven-step process called the Theory of Change model, using an organization focused on reducing food insecurity as an example. 
 
In the links below, you’ll find an accompanying worksheet with various examples of how companies have implemented this model.
 
Throughout the exercise, you’ll examine the core aspects of your operation and envision your ideal outcomes. You’ll determine the internal changes you want to implement for your beneficiaries, identify the problems and needs your organization will address, and evaluate the resources and activities required. This dynamic framework is designed to evolve with your ongoing research.
 
Ready to make real change in the world? Let Robbin be your guide as you begin this journey.
 
Quotes
“A ‘theory of change’ model helps you, in a snapshot, identify what you’re actually going to achieve. So, it can be seen as both a process—which it is, it’s a seven-step process—and also a product. So, it’s kind of like a road map that helps you articulate the changes you want to make in the world and how you plan to achieve it.” (0:54 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
“It links your activities to your outcomes and makes it really clear how and why your program will be effective.” (1:14 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“It’s so crucial to create a theory of change model to begin with when you want to affect any type of social change in the world. It tells a common story. This ensures that everyone involved in your social impact understands the big picture and where their individual efforts fit in. And it also brings together really diverse perspectives.” (2:31 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
 
Links
Connect with Robbin Jorgensen (She/Her):
Website: https://womenignitingchange.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-igniting-change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbin.jorgensen/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Reproductive health includes so much more than just abortion, yet that’s all people think about because it’s been so politicized,” says Pari, who along with Eve, is working to combat mis-and dis-information about reproductive rights. Recognizing that the majority of Americans under 30 use social media as a legitimate new source, and that there was a lack of pro-choice presence across the platforms, the two women provide education and awareness building about reproductive rights on their social media channel @gemma_talks. This begins with clarifying the differences among reproductive rights, reproductive health and reproductive justice, respectively. It continues by reiterating that, since “the fall of Roe,” the consequences of denying women their reproductive rights are dire, and they affect everyone in ways they often don’t realize. 
 
Social accountability presents a unique set of challenges. Whereas traditional advocacy is more focused, Pari and Eve have to design their message for an audience which varies wildly in terms of education and awareness. They work to help build sexual reproductive healthcare ecosystems which include everyone from health service providers to funders to advocacy groups and social movements, all of which remain vulnerable in a shifting political landscape where funding is limited. Still, they are hopeful that through their “vigilante activism” they will reach and transform tomorrow’s change-makers and in doing so, ultimately have a lasting impact on policy. 
 
Quotes
“This is an arena where genuine change needs to be made for women to be able to truly self actualize to their full potential.” (05:41 | Pari)
“Quite frankly, women are tired. We’re tired. Advocacy work is important because it helps reignite people’s energy. It helps them remember their voice again and that they have something to fight for. When you add in the public health lens, it really highlights that nothing exists in a vacuum. Every health issue intersects with race, with income, with environment, just to name a few, and public health makes it clear that women’s issues aren’t just women’s issues. They affect everybody.” (10:48 | Eve) 
“Social accountability is so important. In regular reproductive health programming, social accountability tools are exceptionally useful for driving civic engagement, building relationships between community members and duty bearers, and facilitating the creation of action plans and generating collective responsibility.” (21:39 | Pari)
“Advocacy on social media is made additionally complicated by the fact that your audience can be absolutely anyone. Normally, advocacy’s targeted, but on social media, there isn’t a baseline for someone’s awareness of an issue, or level of engagement, or even level of investment, and, frankly, even education level. You have to design your messages in a way that speaks to a broad depth of comfort with that issue.” (24:37 | Pari) 
“One thing that people don’t think about, though, is how abortion bans make it more dangerous for women who genuinely want to get pregnant. So, some of my friends who very much want a baby are scared to get pregnant because if anything goes wrong, their life may be at risk depending on their zip code.” (27:07 | Eve)
 
Links
Connect with Pari and Eve
Instagram: @gemma_talks
TikTok: @gemma_talks
 
Connect with Robbin Jorgensen (She/Her):
Website: https://womenignitingchange.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-igniting-change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbin.jorgensen/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

“Do you even know we exist? Do you have an understanding of refugee camps?” asks Mary Maker who was once a refugee from South Sudan. Mary never forgot the harsh realities of the Kakuma camp in Kenya. With her firsthand experiences of limited access to higher education and employment, she turned her trials into action. While teaching in the camp, she seized an opportunity to study at Bridge2Rwanda, which enhanced her skills before attending St. Olaf College in Minnesota. Her journey inspired her to co-found Elimisha Kakuma, a college preparatory program tailored for the refugees at Kakuma, using education as a means to empower and rebuild lives.
 
In today’s episode of Women Igniting Change, Mary joins host Robbin Jorgensen to discuss the formidable challenges faced by refugees, especially young women, in pursuing education. She shares insights from her TED Talk and advocacy efforts that are pivotal in garnering university support for her program. Mary also reflects on the empowering realization of education’s role in transforming lives.
 
Tune in to explore how Elimisha Kakuma is striving to meet the UN’s “15 by 30” pledge, aiming to enable 15 percent of refugees to access tertiary education by 2030, perpetuating a cycle of opportunity for future generations.
 
Quotes
“You would see their eyes light up. Every night in the camp we would sit on a mat and all the older folks would tell us stories of home, something to keep us connected. And our mothers would cook food from home because everything tasted like war, and they wanted us to feel a taste of home.” (6:17 | Mary Maker)
“I really hated to assimilate, I hated to learn languages, and it should be a fun thing, but for me it was a sign that I might move next. I was never sure that this was going to be permanent. (7:49 | Mary Maker)
“One time one of the students asked me, ’You talk so passionately in class and about education. Why are you still in the camp? Why aren’t you in college?’ They know the dead end. They know there’s a dead end. A lot of refugees have graduated high school and they don’t have any place to go.” (16:52 | Mary Maker) 
“The biggest challenge was, ‘How do we reach universities?’ Because, number one, they would say, ‘OK, we don’t trust you.’ There is trust that needs to be built. And this is where my advocacy comes in. I have a Ted Talk. I am a UN ambassador. This is my credential. I will knock at every university door to let them see what the camp is like.” (30:01 | Mary Maker) 
“I challenged every university; there were 300 universities in the room. I said, ‘Do you even know we exist? Do you have an understanding of refugee camps?’ because we easily can be a part of the monolith of international students, but we’re not. We don’t have a home to go back to. We have ten times the problems that a regular student who is applying.” (30:44 | Mary Maker) 
 
Links
Connect with Mary Maker:
https://marymaker.org/
https://www.elimishakakuma.org/
https://www.unhcr.org/us/prominent-supporters/mary-maker
https://www.instagram.com/marymaker_43/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-maker/
https://www.ted.com/talks/mary_maker_why_i_fight_for_the_education_of_refugee_girls_like_me?language=en&delay=30s&subtitle=en

Connect with Robbin Jorgensen (She/Her):
Website: https://womenignitingchange.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-igniting-change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbin.jorgensen/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

When it comes to creating real social impact and change, host Robbin Jorgensen explains, “It’s not something that you can do solo.” On this episode of Women Igniting Change, she walks you through her Social Impact Stakeholder Map, an eight-step process designed to help you understand the interconnections and interdependencies within and beyond your sphere of influence. Robbin asks you to rank people, institutions, and organizations in your life by their level of interest—those with whom you could potentially collaborate—and influence—those who can open doors for you that you can’t open yourself. You will also assess the strength of your current connections with each one.
 
Once you’ve identified your ideal network, the next step is to start reaching out. Robbin explains how to approach people and organizations professionally to lay the groundwork for success and make a lasting impression. Learn who your best points of contact are, the best social media platforms for networking, and the proper research to conduct before initiating contact.
 
Break out your markers and post-its and get ready to expand your footprint—and have fun in the process.
 
Quotes
“You’re going to need a multitude of individuals to help you create real social impact and change - it’s not something you can do solo.” (2:28 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
“Always keep in mind that vision that you have for your social change as you’re thinking through these different questions.” (7:55 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“Now, I want you to dive into thinking through the centers of influence. Those are individuals and/or organizations that are really well-regarded in the space that you want to influence and impact, and they have a ton of credibility and potential to provide introductions for you and/or resources that you may not have access to. So, they tend to have really impressive decision-making power, and they have tremendous assets to help you achieve this social impact and vision.” (10:43 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
 
Links
 
Social Impact Stakeholder Map
 
Connect with Robbin Jorgensen (She/Her):
Website: https://womenignitingchange.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-igniting-change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbin.jorgensen/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm

Change makers—believe it or not, we’re already halfway through 2024. Where are you in your mission toward creating lasting social change? Have you begun? To help you refocus and set your intentions for the rest of the year, Robbin revisits the episode where she introduced The Bigger Game, an innovation model designed to help you map out and intentionally design the change you want to make in the world. She walks you through the nine-square grid model, prompting you to consider essential questions like your deeper “why,” what scares you (in a good way), and what investments are needed for your mission to succeed.
 
Women, especially, often need a precise roadmap before taking risks. One setback can make us want to give up entirely. At the center of this model is the most important skill: taking bold action. Without it, as Robbin says, it’s all just a nice conversation.
 
Are you ready to take bold action? Join Robbin as she guides you through the questions that will help you build a long-lasting legacy.
 
Quotes
“And for women especially, this is the one that typically stops us—because we can’t see all 15 steps laid out in front of us as to how something is going to transpire, we talk ourselves out of it—’Nope, I can’t possibly do it.’ But when you’re playing a bigger game, you have to lean in and trust that the how is just going to show up as you take steps toward that bigger game and I promise you it does, every single time.” (2:59 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
“Give yourself permission to dream and imagine that deep desire for social change that you want to put out there. It’s an invitation to turn that dial back up and dare to want for something more than just you.” (7:37 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
“People who say to you, ‘That is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard. You can’t possibly do that. What are you thinking?’ Those are allies, too, and here’s why: When they say something like that to you, I want your response to be, ‘Oh, yeah? Watch me. I’ve got this.’” (11:47 | Robbin Jorgensen)
“This legacy of what you’re putting out into the world lives beyond you. In the United States, for those of you who are familiar with this organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving, if I asked you who the two women were who started it, probably no one would be able to answer it. And we deliver The Bigger Game in workshops inside organizations and no one has known the answer to this. And it’s not that those two women are not important, what’s important is what they put out into the world sustained their involvement in it.” (12:34 | Robbin Jorgensen) 
“Without bold action, the rest of it is just a really nice conversation.” (14:56 | Robbin Jorgensen)
 
Links
Connect with Robbin Jorgensen (She/Her):
Website: https://womenignitingchange.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/women-igniting-change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbinjorgensen/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robbin.jorgensen/

Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm