Discover Human Rights Organizations in New York, NY dedicated to supporting and empowering your community. Our directory features organizations committed to addressing the unique needs and challenges of the community through advocacy, programs, and services.
Founded in 2004, Corporate Counsel Women of Color has grown into a transformative movement serving the New York, NY area and beyond, dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the legal profession. What began as a support network for in-house women of color attorneys has blossomed into a dynamic community representing over 10,000 legal professionals worldwide, united by a shared commitment to collective strength and mutual advancement. The organization's core mission centers on creating meaningful connections, providing mentorship, and building pathways for career success that benefit not only its members but the entire legal field. CCWC's power derives from the remarkable talent, credentials, and diverse perspectives of its members—women who collectively possess deep expertise across virtually every legal discipline and industry sector. The organization recognizes that meaningful professional relationships, intentional networking, and access to inspiring peers can fundamentally shape legal careers and create lasting opportunities. Members consistently report that CCWC conferences provide space for renewal, reflection, and genuine community connection where everyone is valued and supported. By bringing together accomplished women attorneys from across the globe, CCWC creates an inclusive environment where first-time attendees feel immediately welcomed while long-time members continue to find fresh perspectives and professional rejuvenation. The organization remains committed to its founding principle: that through networking, mentorship, and vibrant community engagement, legal professionals can unlock new opportunities and forge a brighter future where everyone can thrive in their legal careers.
For nearly five decades, the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York has served as a catalyst for meaningful change in the lives of women throughout New York, NY and across the nation. Founded on the principle that women deserve equality and fair treatment in all aspects of society, WBASNY has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of legal advocacy and reform. The organization's pioneering work spans transformative areas including championing protections for domestic violence victims, securing equity in marital dissolution proceedings, ensuring fairness in custody determinations, combating sexual violence, and eliminating sexual discrimination in employment. With 20 vibrant chapters and 50 active committees, WBASNY creates a welcoming community where women attorneys support one another's professional advancement while collectively advocating for justice. The association's mission extends beyond individual member success to broader societal impact—WBASNY serves as a unified voice for women generally and women attorneys specifically on issues of profound importance. Currently celebrating its 45th anniversary, the organization honors its legacy while building toward an even stronger future through new leadership initiatives, mentorship programs, and technology advancement. For women attorneys in New York, NY seeking both professional growth and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful legal reform, WBASNY offers a supportive community committed to promoting the advancement of women in the law and ensuring fair administration of justice for all.
Founded in June 1976 by six Howard University School of Law graduates, the Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) has established itself as a cornerstone organization for black women in the legal profession throughout New York and the surrounding metro area. Operating under the guiding principle of "Lift As We Rise," ABWA has provided a vital community home for accomplished women attorneys for over four decades, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support among members.
At its core, ABWA is dedicated to empowering black women attorneys by providing resources, opportunities, and community that enable them to excel professionally and grow personally. The organization believes in the power of black women to embrace their identities, define their futures, and make meaningful contributions to the legal profession and society. This mission extends beyond member services to include a deep commitment to developing the next generation of diverse legal talent through the Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholarship Fund, named in honor of the first African-American woman admitted to the New York State Bar.
What distinguishes ABWA is its holistic approach to supporting its members—combining professional development with genuine community connection. The organization recognizes that success in law requires not only individual talent and skills but also access to networks, mentorship, and spaces where black women attorneys can find belonging. Through decades of programming, advocacy, and relationship-building in New York, ABWA continues to uplift its members while enhancing the collective impact of black women in the legal field.
Serving the New York, NY area and a global network spanning over 100 countries, the Women's Federation for World Peace International represents a movement rooted in the belief that women are essential to creating peaceful societies. Founded in 1992 in the Republic of Korea, WFWPI has grown into a recognized international organization with official consultative status at the United Nations, reflecting its commitment to meaningful change at every level. The organization's mission centers on recognizing women as transformative leaders within families and communities, understanding that sustainable peace begins with strong family structures and ripples outward to transform nations and the world. WFWPI connects women across continents through shared values of reconciliation, education, and humanitarian service. The organization uniquely balances global vision with local action, addressing specific barriers and issues in each region while maintaining unified commitment to peace-building. Members and partners include young professionals, educators, community leaders, and activists working on diverse projects from mobile libraries in South Africa to solar energy initiatives in Kenya, from domestic violence awareness campaigns in Geneva to girl child literacy programs in Burkina Faso. What distinguishes WFWPI is its holistic approach that integrates environmental sustainability, youth leadership development, and family-centered values as interconnected pathways to peace. The organization believes that empowered women, working collaboratively across cultural and religious boundaries, create the foundation for a world of genuine well-being and lasting peace.
Serving the women and girls of New York, the National Organization for Women New York City Founding Chapter embodies a commitment to action and accountability. NOW-NYC ignites change through a multi-faceted approach that combines powerful activism, policy innovation, and community empowerment. The organization believes in the power of collective voices and creates spaces where New Yorkers passionate about women's rights, justice, and democracy can become agents of change. Through its charitable partner, Women's Justice Now, the organization provides legal advocacy, referrals, and support to connect women in need with appropriate resources and guidance. NOW-NYC's mission centers on three transformative pillars: powering grassroots activism that mobilizes communities, changing policy to advance equality, and getting women into positions of influence where their needs and perspectives shape decisions. The organization has built a culture of equal opportunity over six decades, uniting women across New York to challenge discrimination, fight for reproductive justice, and end gender-based violence. By amplifying the voices of women and girls, NOW-NYC ensures that feminist perspectives are heard loudly and unapologetically in the 24-hour news cycle and beyond. Together with dedicated New Yorkers, the organization continues to speak up, rise up, and act now for women's justice.
Founded in 1962, Catalyst is a respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in New York, NY, dedicated to creating workplaces that work for women and for everyone. Supported by many of the world's most powerful CEOs and leading companies, Catalyst has spent more than 60 years at the forefront of women's advancement and inclusion, building a galvanized community committed to meaningful workplace change. The organization's mission—to accelerate progress for women through workplace inclusion—is grounded in the belief that workplaces designed for women's success benefit all employees. Operating with core values of respect, collaboration, accountability, and impact, Catalyst brings together corporate leaders, researchers, and advocates to address the unprecedented opportunity and challenge of reimagining the modern workplace. The New York-based organization extends its influence globally through regional offices in Toronto, Zurich, and Melbourne, serving as a trusted partner to organizations seeking to build equitable and inclusive cultures. Catalyst's approach emphasizes that progress for women is progress for everyone, positioning workplace inclusion not as a compliance issue but as a strategic business imperative. With a 60-year track record of driving measurable change, Catalyst continues to lead the conversation on gender equity, helping corporate supporters unlock talent, foster innovation, and prepare for the future of work through evidence-based solutions and community-driven initiatives.
MADRE, headquartered in New York, NY, is a feminist organization rooted in progressive movements for peace, justice, and women's human rights. Since 1983, MADRE has partnered with community-based women's groups across the globe, working from a foundation of solidarity and trust to advance the fullest range of individual and collective human rights. The organization's mission centers on meeting urgent needs in communities while building lasting solutions to the crises women and girls face. MADRE's history reflects a commitment to standing against war and exploitation, from opposing Cold War militarism in Central America to addressing contemporary conflicts in Yemen, Colombia, Nepal, Kenya, and beyond. What distinguishes MADRE is its deep commitment to centering the leadership of women and girls in their own communities, recognizing their expertise and upholding their voices in shaping policies and decision-making. The organization believes in a world where resources are shared equitably and sustainably, where women participate effectively in all aspects of society, and where people have meaningful input in policies affecting their lives. MADRE's network of relationships built on trust allows the organization to respond swiftly to unfolding crises while maintaining long-term commitments to rebuilding and recovery. By working in partnership with women at local, regional, and international levels who share its vision, MADRE transcends geographies and generations to foster meaningful change rooted in feminist values and intersectional justice.
Based in New York, NY, the Women's Islamic Initiative in Spirituality and Equality (WISE) was founded in November 2006 when 150 leading Muslim women scholars, activists, artists, and religious and civil society leaders representing 25 countries gathered to develop a comprehensive vision for improving the status of Muslim women globally. This historic founding moment established WISE as a movement rooted in the belief that gender equality is an intrinsic part of Islamic faith and that the fight for Muslim women's equality begins with fostering, collaborating with, and supporting the diverse work of Muslim women leaders worldwide. WISE envisions a world in which Muslim women leaders are instrumental in creating a peaceful and prosperous world anchored in gender equality and human dignity. The organization operates through a change theory centered on four pillars: education to empower Muslim women through research and knowledge; collaboration to foster a culture of support among Muslim women; communication to serve as a clearinghouse on Muslim women's activism and legacy; and action to develop innovative approaches to end gender-based discrimination. Supported by family foundations and individual donors, WISE has hosted six global conferences, created 600 WISE women profiles, and established a network of Muslim women activists working across continents. The organization's commitment to amplifying marginalized voices and building bridges across communities reflects its core mission to elevate Muslim women and girls as leaders and change-makers in addressing the world's most pressing social challenges.
UN Women exists to advance women's rights and the empowerment of all women and girls, serving as a trusted partner for advocates and decision-makers from all walks of life in New York, NY and across the globe. Established to accelerate progress on meeting the needs of women and girls worldwide, UN Women has evolved into the lead UN entity on gender equality, actively shifting laws, institutions, social behaviors, and services to close the gender gap and build an equal world. The organization brings together expert practitioners and thought leaders who work collaboratively with implementing partners—including government entities, non-governmental organizations, UN agencies, and intergovernmental organizations—to create lasting change. UN Women's commitment extends beyond programmatic work to include independent oversight, transparent accountability practices, and a dedication to delivering results that truly benefit the communities served. Operating through global offices in New York, Nairobi, and Bonn, along with regional, country, and liaison offices worldwide, UN Women maintains a presence in 109 countries, directly supporting four billion women and girls. The organization's work encompasses critical areas including humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, justice services for survivors of violence, organizational capacity-building for women's groups, and strategic advocacy on emerging issues affecting women's rights. As the youngest UN organization celebrating its 15th year, UN Women continues to position itself as a global force for women's rights, driven by a vision where every woman and girl exercises her human rights and lives up to her full potential.
Since 1990, Hispanic Federation has been taking Hispanic causes to heart in New York, NY and across the nation, serving as a beacon of empowerment for millions of Latino children, youth, and families. As a membership-based organization, Hispanic Federation is deeply rooted in community values and cultural competency, serving everyone regardless of race, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, religion, and age. The organization's mission centers on empowering and advancing the Hispanic community, supporting families, and strengthening Latino institutions through culturally and linguistically competent programs and advocacy.
What distinguishes Hispanic Federation is its dual commitment to immediate community support and systemic change. The organization provides emergency assistance through programs like LA Ayuda, offering financial aid to immigrant workers and displaced families, while simultaneously engaging millions of Latino voters and working to shape public policy at federal, state, and local levels. With 35 years of history rooted in New York, NY, Hispanic Federation has expanded to become America's largest Latino umbrella organization, uniting a diverse network of nonprofits and community leaders. The organization's holistic approach addresses hunger relief, health equity, immigration support, environmental justice, and economic development, recognizing that true empowerment requires addressing multiple dimensions of community life. Hispanic Federation's presence across over 40 states and territories, combined with its Washington, D.C. advocacy office, enables the organization to lift up Latino voices and advance meaningful opportunity and equity at every level of governance.
Founded in 2004, Corporate Counsel Women of Color has grown into a transformative movement serving the New York, NY area and beyond, dedicated to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the legal profession. What began as a support network for in-house women of color attorneys has blossomed into a dynamic community representing over 10,000 legal professionals worldwide, united by a shared commitment to collective strength and mutual advancement. The organization's core mission centers on creating meaningful connections, providing mentorship, and building pathways for career success that benefit not only its members but the entire legal field. CCWC's power derives from the remarkable talent, credentials, and diverse perspectives of its members—women who collectively possess deep expertise across virtually every legal discipline and industry sector. The organization recognizes that meaningful professional relationships, intentional networking, and access to inspiring peers can fundamentally shape legal careers and create lasting opportunities. Members consistently report that CCWC conferences provide space for renewal, reflection, and genuine community connection where everyone is valued and supported. By bringing together accomplished women attorneys from across the globe, CCWC creates an inclusive environment where first-time attendees feel immediately welcomed while long-time members continue to find fresh perspectives and professional rejuvenation. The organization remains committed to its founding principle: that through networking, mentorship, and vibrant community engagement, legal professionals can unlock new opportunities and forge a brighter future where everyone can thrive in their legal careers.
For nearly five decades, the Women's Bar Association of the State of New York has served as a catalyst for meaningful change in the lives of women throughout New York, NY and across the nation. Founded on the principle that women deserve equality and fair treatment in all aspects of society, WBASNY has consistently positioned itself at the forefront of legal advocacy and reform. The organization's pioneering work spans transformative areas including championing protections for domestic violence victims, securing equity in marital dissolution proceedings, ensuring fairness in custody determinations, combating sexual violence, and eliminating sexual discrimination in employment. With 20 vibrant chapters and 50 active committees, WBASNY creates a welcoming community where women attorneys support one another's professional advancement while collectively advocating for justice. The association's mission extends beyond individual member success to broader societal impact—WBASNY serves as a unified voice for women generally and women attorneys specifically on issues of profound importance. Currently celebrating its 45th anniversary, the organization honors its legacy while building toward an even stronger future through new leadership initiatives, mentorship programs, and technology advancement. For women attorneys in New York, NY seeking both professional growth and the opportunity to contribute to meaningful legal reform, WBASNY offers a supportive community committed to promoting the advancement of women in the law and ensuring fair administration of justice for all.
Founded in June 1976 by six Howard University School of Law graduates, the Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) has established itself as a cornerstone organization for black women in the legal profession throughout New York and the surrounding metro area. Operating under the guiding principle of "Lift As We Rise," ABWA has provided a vital community home for accomplished women attorneys for over four decades, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual support among members.
At its core, ABWA is dedicated to empowering black women attorneys by providing resources, opportunities, and community that enable them to excel professionally and grow personally. The organization believes in the power of black women to embrace their identities, define their futures, and make meaningful contributions to the legal profession and society. This mission extends beyond member services to include a deep commitment to developing the next generation of diverse legal talent through the Ruth Whitehead Whaley Scholarship Fund, named in honor of the first African-American woman admitted to the New York State Bar.
What distinguishes ABWA is its holistic approach to supporting its members—combining professional development with genuine community connection. The organization recognizes that success in law requires not only individual talent and skills but also access to networks, mentorship, and spaces where black women attorneys can find belonging. Through decades of programming, advocacy, and relationship-building in New York, ABWA continues to uplift its members while enhancing the collective impact of black women in the legal field.