Social Justice
Read about the newest efforts to overthrow systemic inequalities and address injustices in terms of wealth, opportunities, and privileges to make the world a better place.
Colombia outlaws child marriage in landmark move
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Colombia made a historic move to protect its youngest citizens by prohibiting child marriage. After nearly two decades of passionate campaigning, the Colombian Congress passed legislation prohibiting marriage before the age of 18, closing a 137-year-old gap Read More...
7 states secure abortion rights as voters push back against restrictive measures
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM As abortion rights remain a hotly debated issue in the United States, voters in ten states recently had the opportunity to change reproductive freedoms at the state level. More than two years after the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade, which Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Lowlander Center and Ridwell
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones that emerge from our local communities often have the greatest impact. We can’t believe we’re already at the fifth round of Read More...
Native American Heritage Month and how to be an ally this Thanksgiving
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Native American Heritage Month begins in November, a month when many Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. While this cultural month has excellent intentions, it is significantly more complicated for Native Americans. Thanksgiving is a difficult period for many Read More...
Goodwill's new store inside the Silicon Valley Jail offers hope and job skills
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Goodwill of Silicon Valley started an innovative venture by launching its first store inside Milpitas' Elmwood Correctional Facility. This innovative initiative offers hands-on retail training to incarcerated women, preparing them for future work Read More...
Changemakers of the week: The Waikōloa Dry Forest Initiative and Treasure House Fashions
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, the ones happening locally, and being driven by our communities often make the greatest impact. Today we are excited to publish the Read More...
Changemakers of the week: Lahaina Restoration Foundation and The Montana Institute
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every day on the Optimist Daily, we report on solutions from around the world. Though we love solutions big and small, it is often the ones right in our communities that make the largest impact. Today we are excited to publish the third round of The Read More...
How donating expiring food boosts supermarket profits while tackling food insecurity
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Millions of people in the United States suffer from food insecurity, with more than 40 percent of food lost throughout the production chain. Major merchants such as Kroger, Walmart, and Costco are stepping up to address this issue by donating expired food, Read More...
Hundreds of veterans obtain honorable discharges following 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' review
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM The United States Department of Defense announced that over 800 veterans who were previously removed under the now-repealed "don't ask, don't tell" policy have had their discharge statuses upgraded to honorable, in a historic action that finally begins to Read More...
Transforming climate anxiety into positive action
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Imagine dedicating your studies to the natural beauty of coral reefs, only to witness their rapid decline firsthand. That is precisely what occurred to Jada Alexander, a student at the University of California, Santa Barbara. The vivid life of the coral reefs Read More...