160 Ways to Change the World By Organizing Where You Live
One of our body’s five responses to trauma is to freeze. This is our body’s way of shutting down when it feels like fighting or fleeing isn’t an option.
Sound familiar?
My hope is that this guide helps you get out of freeze – and into a healthy response mode that enables you to fight back effectively, take care of yourself and others, and have way more fun than the other side is having.
Before diving in, here are the three things I need you to know:
- You are the majority.
- You have an enormous amount of leverage where you live.
- Your power is your network.
Who We Are
Red Wine & Blue is an empowered community of women working to change the world together, one friend at a time. We help you make meaningful connections, organize in your community, and become more effective than you ever imagined. If you want to make a difference, have fun, and make lifelong friends along the way, you’re in the right place.
“I don’t think this group has a problem with this. But it’s really important to have a better time than they’re having.”
More About Red Wine & Blue
The 2024 presidential election made us feel a whole range of emotions: heartbreak, anger, fear and resolve. The RWB community worked hard to bring our friends, family, and everyone we know to the polls and spread the message of the extremist threat of a second Trump term.
But despite losses at the federal level, almost everywhere RWB targeted locally, MAGA had a bad election night. Across the country, RWB bucked national trends to bring home wins:
- Three-quarters of the school board extremists we targeted lost in Michigan — and almost ALL of them lost in Virginia.
- The state legislative candidates we supported picked up seats in both chambers of the Ohio legislature, narrowly defended the majority in the Pennsylvania State House, broke the supermajority in the North Carolina State House, and won tight races in the Michigan State House.
- One of RWB’s top priorities for 2024 was defeating the Moms for Liberty extremist who lost her bid for NC Superintendent, trailing Trump by 3-5 points in nearly all of our targeted counties.
- Both pro-reproductive freedom MI Supreme Court candidates won by nearly 13 points.
The vast majority is with us, and when we organize, they show up.
It’s that common-sense majority of women that RWB has been recruiting, training, and empowering to organize right where they live, in their own communities, starting with their own friends and neighbors.
We’re so glad you’re here. Welcome!
The Purpose of Our Guide
Groups sometimes ask us if there’s anything that they can do to be effective in countering extremism in 2025. And the answer is yes, yes, 160 times yes! This guide will help you bring the joy of Red Wine & Blue to your community — while getting sh*t done that truly makes a difference.
Each time there is a unique action that you or your group can take, it will be highlighted in lavender so you can easily identify it. With so many great ideas here, there is definitely something for everyone! Links to external resources referenced will be at the bottom of each web page.
None of us has time to waste, so we want to be doing the work that adds the most value. This doesn’t mean your group will need to use everything in our toolkit; you can “choose your own adventure” and decide which parts are right for you. You should walk away with a roadmap for building your group and working together to stand up for your values and fight back against extremism.
While this guide is designed for TroubleNation group leaders (or those looking to start one), it’s also for ANYONE who wants to make a difference. Whether you’ve been unsure of where to start or simply want to bring fresh ideas to your group leaders, this guide is for you. Not yet part of a group? Click here to find and join your local TroubleNation group, get involved, and share what you’re about to learn.
Action:
- Find and join your local TroubleNation group, get involved, and share what you’re about to learn.
Growing Your TroubleNation Group
Connection is at the heart of organizing. Extremists want us to feel isolated and alone — but when we come together, we’re unstoppable. The antidote to division is community building.
Sustaining Your TroubleNation Group
Connection is at the heart of organizing. Extremists want us to feel isolated and alone — but when we come together, we’re unstoppable. The antidote to division is community building.
Starting Your TroubleNation Group
Connection is at the heart of organizing. Extremists want us to feel isolated and alone — but when we come together, we’re unstoppable. The antidote to division is community building.
Caring for Each Other: Mutual Aid & Protection
Mutual aid is about coming together to meet immediate needs while working to create long-term change that benefits everyone. From life-saving assistance to simply making someone’s day easier, every act has value.
Showing Up: Protests, Boycotts, and Beyond
We can’t let loud extremists make it seem like they’re more powerful than they are. Small actions often add up to a big impact, and sometimes, when we generate just a little bit of friction, it’s enough to slow down the extremist agenda.
Taking Back Power: Elections & Advocacy
Want to keep your community safe from misguided decisions made in Washington? Elect responsible local leaders. It’s our responsibility to make our voices heard — by telling them how we expect them to vote and what issues matter to us.
The Right Next Step
You don’t have to have everything mapped out — you only have to decide on the next right step!
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