FUFA (Females United for Action) is “a coalition of young women leaders that is dedicated to educate not only ourselves, but others as well, on issues that affect women and girls. We organize to bring attention to the issues and take action to address them. FUFA is formed by girls and young women from all over the city of Chicago, from all backgrounds & nationalities, ranging from 12 years of age & up.”

As described by FUFA founding member Yunuen Rodriguez (recent recipient of the national Gloria Award for Young Women’s Leadership), FUFA is a coalition of young women dedicated to targeting the root causes of gender-based violence by "galvanizing outrage" against a culture that objectifies women and girls. In particular, FUFA challenges the media to take responsibility for its role in promulgating negative, sexually exploitive images of women and girls—and to do something about it.

FUFA’s analysis that media portrayals are at the heart of violence against women is what led the group to learn about media ownership and to partner with the Stop Big Media coalition.

Some of FUFA’s work has included:

• A successful youth-led organizing campaign to change the advertising at local radio station La Ley 107.9. FUFA won removal of an offensive advertisement, which showed a row of Latinas in short shorts with “25 pegaditas” (slang for 25 slaps or hits) across their backs; as well as an overall change in La Ley’s advertising approach. This campaign was covered in local and national press.
• Testifying at the Federal Communications Commission hearings in September, and participating in follow-up efforts around media ownership.
• Promoting public education through dozens of workshops and events, and through a youth-designed photo exhibit showing positive images of women and men that do not appear in mainstream media. This photo exhibit was created in partnership with a group of young male allies.
• Developing a “Media Justice Training Institute” in which FUFA members develop and design trainings on topics such as media & violence against women; media & gender; and deconstructing media. We have trained youth in communities across Chicago to question media messages and take action together to promote media justice.

To find out more about FUFA's work, visit: http://www.womenandgirlscan.org/fufa.html or check them out at Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/femalesunitedforaction