Frailty Myths

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at frailty myths We're Reimagining Feminity and Building Power.

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Feel your inner power. Grow your confidence. Change the world.
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Workshops and Events
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Ways to Give

We offer team building and leadership workshops. Contact us for rates and availability.

About Us

The story of Frailty Myths is the story of friends...

living across the world, working in fields dominated by men, looking to challenge the notion that we are frail, weak, and unable. When we looked around, we saw each of us working to change the world by uplifting those around us and in our communities. We didn’t feel weak at all. We knew that we had to build a space where other people could experience this. We found our friendship and support for each other, to be something that held us down and made us amazing. Each of the four founders is different; we’re people of color and white women, over-educated and under-educated, from across the United States. We’ve embraced the beauty of our differences as the driving force of what makes Frailty Myths so beautiful.

  • Frailty Myths was founded in October, 2016 in Oakland, California by a group of four diverse women committed to one transformative idea: to offer women, trans, and gender non-conforming people in marginalized communities’ confidence building skills in traditionally male-dominated activities as a means of rising up out of the oppressive myths of “female fragility.”

  • Frailty Myths is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit, based in Oakland, California. Our fundamental goal is to empower and transform women, trans, and gender nonconforming people in marginalized communities using hands-on, experiential learning in skills traditionally dominated by men, like woodworking, sailing, and climbing.

Our Impact

How Frailty Myths Transforms the World
“I spent today learning how to use power tools thanks to the amazing women at Frailty Myths. They volunteer their time to teach free classes to women in an amazing and supportive environment. So many inspiring and amazing people. And my partner Mei was the best! 😜 I cannot thank Frailty Myths enough, I learned so much today and now I have a new stool! To all my female friends, please check them out, this is a genuine real good group of people who are dedicated to the community and empowering other women!!!”
Sara Kodo
“Absolutely incredible experience!!! Run by two empowering, understanding women who personally inspired me. You guys encouraged myself and other women to stand up for themselves and speak up in realistic settings. Can’t wait for the next event! Thank you, Frailty Myths!”
Emma Quay Tohill
“Last time I used this kind of tool I was in my 6th grade woodshop. Nearly 2 decades later, my first cut using this tool was such an incredible, empowering, amazing feeling. It’s hard to describe. Thanks Frailty Myths for creating an environment and an event I didn’t know I could find so rewarding.”
Kayli Hirsty

Who we are

Frailty Myths is a family of amazing people working everyday to ReImagine Femininity and a world without toxic masculinity - Here are just a few of us:
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Advisory Council

Frailty Myths is honored to have an incredible group of people sit on the advisory council. Check them out here.

Georgia Faye Hirsty

Co-Founder/Director
Georgia works in the environmental justice movement with a focus on the use of non-violent direct action as a tactic for change. Her work is deeply rooted in the understanding that the fight for justice necessarily includes solidarity with every fight for justice, and that exploring the intersections of oppression is a necessary part of dismantling it.

Erinn Carter

Co-Founder/Director
Erinn has worked in politics for more than 15 years. Her work has encompassed everything from the theory of politics through her PhD studies at UCLA to real life politics including work with labor unions, community organizations, and activism across the country. As a black woman, her primary focus has been on fighting for justice in communities of color.

Susan Goodwillie

Co-Founder/Director
Susan is a co-founder of SPACE on Ryder Farm, a nonprofit residency program housed on a working organic farm. She is a social worker at the Mental Health Project at the Urban Justice Center – a non-profit that provides free legal and advocacy services to low-income New Yorkers living with mental illness.

Malachi Robinson

Director
Malachi Robinson was born in Florida, raised in New Jersey, and tells people that they’re from Brooklyn. They attended CUNY Medgar Evers in Brooklyn, New York and studied Journalism there, which comes in handy because the justice organizations they have worked for actually break the big stories and are true watchdogs of democracy. In their spare time, they enjoy singing karaoke, speaking loudly in inappropriate spaces, riding their bike, and watching funny YouTube videos.

Who We Serve

The Frailty Myths Family is a powerful and nurturing support system that continues well beyond the workshops. We are committed to prioritizing marginalized communities.
Participant Demographics
% identify as POC
% identify as LGBT
% Make less than $30k
Go to Frailty Myths Philosophy

Frailty Myths Philosophy

Read more about who we are and the analysis that informs our work. You’ll also find more information on the Frailty Myths Pedagogy

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Please contact us below if you are interested in working together, volunteering, or scheduling a team building workshop. Also, contact us with any feedback, ideas, or if you'd like to write a guest blog.