Happy Election Day to our readers in the United States!
If you haven’t already exercised your right to vote, we hope you get the chance to make it to a polling place today. We’re encouraged to see growing momentum for the time-off-to-vote movement, demonstrating how businesses can play a pivotal role in strengthening democratic participation.
Every month, Breaking Good strives to bring you breaking stories of hope and inspiration that can sometimes get lost in the news cycle, and today is no different. We've filled this month’s newsletter with reminders of the powerful change that arises from persistence, fearlessness, and a desire to make positive impacts in the world.
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Honoring a Fearless Suffragist
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On Election Day, we honor the many suffragists who fought for the hard-won right to vote. One such fearless trailblazer was Dr. Mary Edwards Walker. Born in 1832, she grew up in a family dedicated to equality, which shaped her own bold commitment to gender and social justice.
Dr. Walker defied norms her entire life — and not just by wearing trousers, which was so controversial that she was often mocked and punished. She became one of America’s first female doctors and volunteered as a surgeon for the Union during the Civil War, often crossing enemy lines to treat civilians. Her service during the war earned her the Medal of Honor in 1865. To this day, she remains the only woman to have received this recognition.
Dr. Walker’s courage extended to the suffrage movement, where she argued that women’s right to vote was already embedded in the Constitution. She fought alongside other suffragists such as Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, even when their opinions diverged.
Dr. Walker’s unwavering spirit reminds us to cherish and protect our rights. Her life is a tribute to perseverance, fearlessness, and the pursuit of a more just world. |
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| Impact Investing Growing More Mainstream |
| The impact investing market is now worth around $1.571 trillion, according to the latest state-of the-market report from the Global Impact Investing Network (GIIN). For the first time, GIIN was able to measure the compound annual growth rate of the market, finding that impact investing assets under management grew 21% over the last five years. The researchers also found that large investors like pension funds and insurance companies are a big driving force for the growth, which some experts say is reason to be optimistic for the future. |
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Tackling Complexity Through Impact Investing
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| As experienced impact investors know, driving positive change requires deploying capital to intricate fixes for complex problems like climate change and inequities. U.S. News & World Report explores some of the ways impact investors can make a difference, such as supporting small businesses to drive innovation and tapping into AI strategically and ethically. |
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| INCLUSIVE ENTREPRENEURSHIP |
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Closing Gaps for Communities of Color
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| The civil rights organization NAACP announced the launch of an impact fund to help close the funding gap for Black entrepreneurs. NAACP Capital, a $200 million fund of funds, will invest in strengthening communities and improving equity nationwide, focusing on sectors such as ed tech, fintech, health tech, and climate tech. |
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| Bridging the Technical Divide |
| Technology is critical for scaling businesses in today’s digital economy, but founders without coding or software experience face an uphill battle. The struggle is even more acute for Black entrepreneurs, who already face obstacles in accessing funding and mentorship. Working in partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), serial entrepreneur Amanda Spann aims to bridge the technical divide with App Accelerator, which helps Black entrepreneurs get the resources they need to succeed in the tech industry. |
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Women Tame Fear at Historic Competition
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| Women’s sports notched another big win this fall when women had their first-ever chance to compete in what The New York Times has dubbed the “biggest and gnarliest mountain-bike competition in the world” — Red Bull Rampage. The women who harness their fear to fly down steep drops and over giant jumps in this unique competition are truly awe-inspiring. |
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