march reflections: women’s history and trans rights

March is a month to honor the contributions, resilience, and achievements of women throughout history. It is also an important time to recognize the experiences of transgender women, who often face unique challenges, discrimination, and barriers to health, safety, and well-being.

The last day of March marks Transgender Day of Visibility, a day to celebrate transgender and non-binary people, raise awareness of the struggles they face, and advocate for their rights. Transgender individuals, especially trans women, continue to experience high levels of stigma, restricted access to healthcare, and threats to safety and dignity. These challenges are often intensified for those who are immigrants, racialized, or part of the LGBTQ2IA+ community, making trauma-informed, compassionate approaches essential.

Recently, our Senior Director of Community and Equity Strategies, Angela De La Hoz, had the opportunity to participate in a community retreat hosted and coordinated by Eastside for All, alongside local leaders and partners focused on equity and inclusion. Being part of these conversations was a reminder of just how important community and connection are. It was a powerful chance to share experiences, build resilience, and consider how we can work together to create fair access and justice. Fair access doesn’t mean everyone gets the same thing; it means listening to those most affected and dismantling barriers so that everyone feels like they truly belong.

At Friends of Youth, many of the young people and families we serve disproportionately face inequities in access, community belonging, and support. We are committed to continuing our journey toward trauma-informed care and equity-driven approaches that prioritize listening, addressing systemic barriers, and dismantling structures of oppression. Honoring Women’s History Month and Transgender Day of Visibility is part of this work. By recognizing the challenges women and transgender individuals face, we deepen our commitment to creating inclusive communities where all youth and families can thrive.

As we honor Women’s History Month and Transgender Day of Visibility, we invite everyone to take a moment to approach conversations with care and awareness. Together, we can build inclusive, supportive communities by listening to the experiences of those affected, learning from one another, and taking concrete steps toward safety, support, and belonging.