How to Be an Activist for Human Rights, the Environment, or Other Causes

An activist is anyone who sees the need for change and devotes their time, energy, and support to strong actions (like protests, petitions, elections, and more) to make it happen. That might sound like a lot, but the good news is that it’s easy to get started with activism—all you need is a cause you care about and the motivation to do something about it! In this article, we’ll show you the best ways to support a cause, plus share how to find an activist group to join (and how to create your own) with helpful tips from activists with diverse backgrounds in immigration, LGBTQ+ issues, the environment, and more.

How do you become an activist?

Join an existing activist group that advocates for a cause you care about, or recruit some like-minded people to form your own. Support your cause by volunteering, donating money or supplies, listening to affected communities, or circulating petitions and information online. Be a role model citizen to inspire others.

Section 1 of 5:

Joining Existing Activist Groups

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Student or school groups If you’re in high school or college, there may be student activist groups on your campus that advocate for causes you care about. Check out your campus activity fairs, announcement boards, newsletters, extracurricular directories, or even your school’s social media accounts to find groups you’d like to connect with.^{[1]
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- If you’re not sure what cause you’d like to support, attend lectures, workshops, or other events hosted by activists to see what you might be interested in. Any way to meet and interact with new people and topics can set you on your path!
Meet the wikiHow Experts

Mira Lazine is a journalist specializing in LGBTQ+ issues and politics. She is a contributor to the Trans Data Library, an authoritative site documenting the actions of opponents to transgender care.

Sabs Katz is a sustainability expert and co-founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, an eco-media company inspiring climate action through art, education, and storytelling.

Miatrai Brown, Esq. is an immigration lawyer with over 10 years of experience in immigrant visas, family-based immigration, risk management assessment, and regulatory compliance.

Joseph (JoJo) Harwood is a beauty, DEI, and social media expert with over 15 years of experience supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in businesses.
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Local, community, or church groups Connecting with folks in your town or community that care about the same things you do is a great way to start your activist journey. It might seem a little overwhelming to figure out where to start, so here are some places you can check:
- Look online to see if there are local chapters of larger organizations you can join (for example, Amnesty International, Indivisible, or the Human Rights Campaign).
- Mobilize is a great online resource for finding activist events in your area to attend.
- Or, search for local groups or events on apps like Meetup or Facebook.
- If you belong to a church, there may be members of your congregation who work together to support charities and activism projects in your community.
- You can also check public library bulletins and events calendars, your local paper, and volunteer fairs to find like-minded people to work with.
- If all else fails, just search “[the name of your town] activist groups” online and poke around the results!
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Online groups Some large and far-reaching organizations, like Amnesty International, also host virtual action groups to bring people together from disparate places to fight for a common cause. You might do things like phone banking, petition sharing, or even content creation to help spread the word about your cause. Online groups are a great way to participate if you don’t have any local groups that are passionate about the same causes you are. Who says you can’t be an activist from home?
- Try searching “online activist groups [cause you care about]” online and exploring the options that come up to see what might be a good fit for you.
EXPERT TIP

Mira Lazine
LGBTQ+ Journalist
Mira Lazine is a journalist specializing in LGBTQ+ issues, politics, science, and gaming based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Mira is a transfeminine writer acclaimed for providing a methodical, accurate, and investigative slant to the world of queer reporting. She has been featured in multiple outlets, including The Washington Post, Erin in the Morning, Truthout, The Advocate, LGBTQ Nation, Assigned Media, Cincinnati Citybeat, The Buckeye Flame, Autostraddle, Strange Matters Magazine, and Discover Magazine. She is a contributor to the Trans Data Library, an authoritative site documenting the actions of opponents to transgender care. She is also a contributor to journalist Erin Reed's legislation tracker, documenting pieces of LGBTQ+ related legislation as they emerge across the country. Mira attended Keystone College.

Mira Lazine
LGBTQ+ Journalist

Look for groups that are well-established in your area. In any state, especially in large metropolitan areas, there are groups that have been around for decades. [These groups] have a lot of community trust. They have people in your community vouching for them. You can have some confidence that they do good work.

Section 2 of 5:

Supporting Your Chosen Cause

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Take small and consistent actions that advance your cause. The most well-known and successful activists have to start somewhere, and when you’re just beginning your work, no petition, march, effort, or donation is too small. So, start by doing something manageable that could eventually lead to bigger, bolder action. For example, if you’re passionate about the environment, you might start out simply picking up trash on your block once a week. Or, you can make a goal to attend one march or rally a month to dip your toes into the protest scene—whatever works for you. Anything that gives you a point of entry is a great place to start!
- Over time, as you gain experience and connections, you’ll feel able to take on more and deeper work to advance your cause.
- Think of specific ways you can start making a difference. For instance, while halting human-caused climate change is a noble goal, it’s too broad to be directly actionable. You can, however, advocate for tougher emissions standards for vehicles and industries in your area, for example.
EXPERT TIP

Sabs Katz
Sustainability Expert
Sabs Katz is a sustainability expert based in the United States. With over 9 years of experience, Sabs started her blog Sustainable Sabs in 2016, sharing content focused around sustainability, zero-waste living, climate justice, plant based eating, ethical fashion, and more. She has also worked for multiple zero-waste startups, including a zero-waste grocery delivery service and zero-waste fresh food vending machine company. 5 years ago, Sabs co-founded the climate justice organization Intersectional Environmentalist, an eco-media company inspiring climate action through art, education and storytelling. Sabs has been featured on CBS, goop, Refinery29, Grist, and more.

Sabs Katz
Sustainability Expert

Find things to do that you really care about. That’s better than forcing yourself to do something you’re not comfortable with, not familiar with, or that’s not exciting to you. That is more difficult than just finding and connecting with what you're passionate about and building the bridge to [a cause].
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Volunteer your time. One of the best ways to make a difference is to donate your time to support your passion. Reach out to organizations in your community that do work for your cause, and ask how you can help.^{[2]
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- For example, if you are interested in supporting animals in need, try volunteering at your local animal shelter or wildlife rescue. There are many ways you could help, from caring for the animals to helping with fundraising events or writing content for the web.^{[3]
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- Or, say you have a passion for helping the homeless. You could volunteer at a shelter, soup kitchen, or resource center to help that population directly, or assist at a nonprofit dedicated to advancing housing affordability and justice.
- Your volunteer work doesn’t have to involve special skills or tasks. Many quality organizations can use help stuffing mailers, distributing petitions, making phone calls, or even just delivering coffee to protesters. There are lots of ways to get involved!
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Donate money or supplies if you’re able to. Most activists and charitable organizations need resources to do their work. If you can’t afford to donate money to an organization that supports your cause, you may be able to donate other things they need, like clothing or canned food.
- Be aware that some charities are more reputable than others. If you plan to donate money or goods to support a cause, do some research before you donate. Check out your charity’s rating with organizations like Charity Watch, Charity Navigator, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance.^{[4]
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- How do you know what an organization needs? Many organizations will list specific items or materials they need and can accept on their website or mailers. If you have specific items you want to donate that aren’t listed, give them a call or email them to confirm they can take them. (For example, some places may accept old winter coats to redistribute, while others won’t for sanitary reasons. When in doubt, it’s always best to check!)
- Typically, quality organizations will state how they will use donated money or materials. If you have questions, they should be happy to answer them for you. If an answer seems vague, that’s a sign to research the organization more thoroughly.
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Build a support network of friends, family, and other activists. Activism can be draining, and you risk burning out if you don’t have support or opportunities to rest. If you feel overwhelmed, reach out to your network for help with a project related to your cause (like help making posters for a march or rally, or driving you to a meeting) or for personal help (like being there to listen to you vent after a frustrating day or event, or just hanging out with you to take your mind off of your work). There’s nothing that says you have to be an activist all on your own!
- Network with other activists who can step in if you need a break, too. That’s the strength of successful movements—when many people are involved, you can step back to recharge without fear that your work will be abandoned or stalled.
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Lead by example and be a role model for other citizens. Incorporate activism into your everyday life by living and acting in ways that directly support your cause (like reducing your carbon footprint and using sustainably produced products if you’re into environmentalism, for example). Not only does this prove that you can practice what you preach, but it also shows others small, everyday ways they can support your cause, too!
- Think about the type of citizen you want to be in general. As immigration attorney Miatrai Brown, Esq. puts it, “An exemplary citizen is someone who embodies responsibility, engagement, and dedication to the welfare of their community and broader society. They actively engage in their community's political, social, and cultural spheres, participating in voting, public meetings, and local activities. Conscious of the issues affecting their community, these citizens endeavor to effect improvements while supporting local institutions and organizations.”^{[5]
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  Miatrai Brown, Esq.
  Immigration Attorney
  
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Listen to the people most affected by issues you care about. If you are interested in a cause that affects other people (and most causes do), then one of the best ways to understand how to help them is to listen to what they have to say about their experiences and needs. If you can’t reach out to them in person, then try connecting to affected people and communities via social media, or read their stories in books or online.^{[6]
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- For example, if you are interested in helping with issues related to LGBTQ+ rights, speak to members of your local LGBTQ+ community about what kinds of issues matter the most to them, and what you can do to help.
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Vote! (And encourage others to vote, too.) Often, voting is the most direct way to facilitate change and reform in your community, whether you’re voting for the President of the United States, for a local school board member, or on a ballot initiative for a specific policy. Research the candidates ahead of election day to see whose platform most aligns with your values and causes, then cast your vote by mail or in person.
- Encourage others to vote by explaining why you prefer certain candidates and how they’d help your cause. Let your network know when specific ballot initiatives are on the ballot and encourage them to vote “yes” or “no” according to your cause.
- In fact, encouraging and registering people to vote is activism in itself! The more eligible voters who participate in an election, the more the outcome reflects the desires and needs of the people.
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Read up on your cause. While reading and researching aren’t activism on their own, it’s important to be informed about the issues you care about to do the most effective activism. Check out books related to your cause from your school or public library, watch documentaries about issues you care about, and consider subscribing to publications that give you the most up-to-date news and information to stay in the know.^{[7]
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- Charities or other activist organizations devoted to your cause may be able to recommend some books to you. Check out their websites for reading lists.
- Ask teachers or professors you know who may be familiar with your cause to recommend some books.
- If you’re unsure where to start, check out these books about activism:
  - Emergent Strategy: Shaping Change, Changing Worlds by Adrienne Maree Brown
  - Road Map For Revolutionaries: Resistance, Activism, and Advocacy For All by Carolyn Gerin, Elisa Camahort Page, and Jamia Wilson
  - The Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century by Grace Lee Boggs (with Scott Tadao Kurashige)

Section 3 of 5:

Being an Online Activist

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Promote your cause on social media. You can use social media to keep your friends and followers informed about the causes you support. Post informative articles, write about what you are doing to stay involved, and invite your friends to attend events or donate to fundraisers for your cause. Facebook, X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, and TikTok are all great places to start.^{[8]
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- Make sure to follow other activists, organizers, and groups (and share their posts!) to stay engaged and informed about your cause, too.
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Circulate online petitions. Starting a petition no longer has to mean going door to door with a pen and clipboard. There are numerous websites and social media platforms that house petitions, like Change.org. To drum up support for a petition:^{[9]
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- Establish a clear, specific, and realistic goal, like “Protect the wooded area adjacent to Veterans' Park from development.”
- Personalize the cause by telling your story: “I, like many community members in this area, developed an appreciation for nature by walking through those woods.”
- Give a clear call to action to potential signers: “Please sign this petition and share it with a friend to spread the word!”
- Keep your language clear and simple. You want your message to be understood by as many people as possible!
- Decide in advance who you will deliver your petition with signatures to, whether that’s an elected official, a local community leader, or a business owner.
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Donate to causes you support if you can. It’s easy to donate money online to existing organizations that focus on your cause, although you should always do some research on how such groups spend their money. You can also turn to the internet for crowdfunding options, either by utilizing websites like GoFundMe.com or by using social media to encourage direct donations.^{[10]
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- If you’re raising money for your local animal shelter, for instance, make sure there is a clear plan in place for using the funds. Many people won’t just give money blindly without knowing what it will be used for.

Section 4 of 5:

Starting Your Own Activist Group

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Spread the word that you’re looking to start a new group for a cause. Engaging your peers in town or at school is a great way to raise awareness for your cause and recruit like-minded people. This might feel like a big task, but here are some easy ways to reach people:^{[11]
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- Organize informal meetings at parks, libraries, or even coffee shops to engage new people and discuss your ideas and vision.
- If you’re in school, ask to make an announcement about your group before events or assemblies to address the student body.
- Write an op-ed for a local or school newspaper.
- Use social media to cast a wider net around town (and beyond).
- When you spread your message, be specific about what you’re advocating for, why it should matter to others, how you plan to push for change, and why you find it personally meaningful.
EXPERT TIP

Joseph Harwood
Beauty, DEI & Social Media Expert
Joseph (JoJo) Harwood is a Beauty, DEI & Social Media Expert, Artist, CEO of Joseph Hartwood Ltd, and Creative Director of Team Baron Group. With over 15 years of experience, they specialize in all aspects of beauty, digital media production, and supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in businesses. JoJo has pioneered YouTube content and branding, with over 100 million views on their YouTube tutorial content and was the first and only winner of Simon Cowell's You Generation Competition. They studied an MSc in Cosmetic Science from the London College of Fashion, combining a technical understanding of cosmetics with beauty expertise.

Joseph Harwood
Beauty, DEI & Social Media Expert

Come from a place of honesty and authenticity. Be truthful. If [your message] is in any way fake or you’re doing it to curate a personality, then it's just going to do nothing.
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Create dedicated social media accounts and a website for your group. A visible web presence can spread awareness of your newly formed group and make your work seem more “legit” compared to sharing information from your personal accounts. Plus, it makes collaborating with other, more established groups easier because they can see what you’re about and how long you’ve been advocating. They can also share your content if it aligns with their cause, giving your group a boost!^{[12]
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Start taking action! Now that you’ve recruited some fellow activists and established yourself as a group online, it’s time to get to work. Start organizing protests, workshops, or information sessions in your community, create a content schedule to keep your online space visible in social media algorithms, and make your voice heard!^{[13]
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- As your group grows and evolves, you might consider forming a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization or charity to expand your reach, financial capacity, and influence. However, it’s totally fine to remain an independent group as long as it suits your needs and goals. Any activism is good activism!
EXPERT TIP

Joseph Harwood
Beauty, DEI & Social Media Expert
Joseph (JoJo) Harwood is a Beauty, DEI & Social Media Expert, Artist, CEO of Joseph Hartwood Ltd, and Creative Director of Team Baron Group. With over 15 years of experience, they specialize in all aspects of beauty, digital media production, and supporting diversity and inclusion efforts in businesses. JoJo has pioneered YouTube content and branding, with over 100 million views on their YouTube tutorial content and was the first and only winner of Simon Cowell's You Generation Competition. They studied an MSc in Cosmetic Science from the London College of Fashion, combining a technical understanding of cosmetics with beauty expertise.

Joseph Harwood
Beauty, DEI & Social Media Expert

Don't be scared of just building your own thing. You don't have to work with a charity if there's not one that believes the same as you. You can look into building things and working in collaboration with other charities or brands. Just think about getting your messaging across as authentically as possible.

Section 5 of 5:

Pursuing a Career in Activism

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If you’re in high school or college, sign up for classes that will help you understand your cause better. For example, if you are concerned about environmental issues, an environmental science class would be a good place to start. You could even consider majoring in a field that will help you support your cause. For example, you could major in a field like organizational leadership, or you could focus on something more specific to the cause you are interested in, like environmental science or women’s studies.^{[14]
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Think about career paths that would allow you to support your cause, too. For example, if you are interested in public health, you might seek a career in the medical field.
- Taking a class can not only help you become more informed about your cause, but it can also help you connect to others who are interested in the same issues.
- If you’re not in school, or if your school doesn’t offer courses that are helpful to you, you might be able to find a free or affordable online course related to your cause. For example, Smith College offers a free online course on Women’s Activism through the edX website.^{[15]
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Seek internships or volunteer opportunities. If you're new to the workforce, internships can be a great way to begin a career as an activist. During college or just after college, look for internships related to your interests. See if your favorite grassroots organizations and non-profits offer internships. Talk to your college advisor about where to find internships related to activism. Completing one or more relevant internships can put you on the right track to becoming a career activist.
- Some degree programs may require you to complete an internship to graduate. Make sure you check your graduation requirements and complete an internship if it's necessary for your degree.
- If you’re not finding any internship opportunities, reach out to organizations and offer your time or services. For example, if you are comfortable doing graphic design, offer to lend your expertise for their social media or posters. This gets your foot in the door and could lead to more substantial opportunities later.
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Look for activist jobs. If you are ready to start working, look for jobs that are relevant to your interests. See if charities and grassroots organizations you believe in having any open positions that are suited to your skills. For example, if you have strong writing and editing skills, see if you can work as a copywriter for a grassroots organization. If you have skills with planning and coordinating events, look for work as a volunteer coordinator.^{[16]
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- Basically, whatever job skills you have are probably useful to some activist organization out there that supports your cause—they may need accountants, drivers, cooks, carpenters, doctors, etc.

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Is registering people to vote a form of activism?

Bridget Connolly
Political Activist
Bridget Connolly has volunteered on political campaigns at the local and federal level for over 10 years, most notably for the 2008 Obama campaign in Nevada and Josh Harder's Congressional race in 2018. She has gone door-to-door to help register voters and get out the vote in both California and Nevada.

Bridget Connolly

Political Activist

Expert Answer

Yes! Registering people to vote helps remove barriers for people who have been marginalized by educational systems, culture, and misinformation about the importance of their vote. I’ve had so many experiences where every vote counts. If 500 people are registering people to vote in a specific county, and we each get 1 person, and somebody wins by 400 votes, that’s a really big deal. I think it’s a civic duty for people who understand how politics work and understand that voting is at the bedrock of all of that. The people who don’t vote are essentially disenfranchised; they aren’t playing a part in what’s happening with their tax dollars and who is representing them at the local, state, and federal level. All levels. It takes a lot of work to stay informed, but that’s how our system is set up. You’re voting people into power, so it’s a civic duty.

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Be creative! Activism doesn't have to involve large events. Even if you're working out of your garage, you can still make a difference. Bloggers can be activists through their writing, teachers can be activists by encouraging students to challenge their beliefs, artists can leave guerrilla activist art around town, computer-savvy folks can arrange an e-zine, and so on.

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When working with others, consider the needs of the group. Be willing to compromise on the details, but not on your core values.

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Warnings

Be aware of the consequences if you plan to engage in acts of civil disobedience. Carry a lawyer's business card if you believe that you may be arrested. In the USA, the ACLU makes “Know Your Rights” pocket cards for this purpose.

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