Inspired by the Quiet Work of Change: My Experience with ACESWorld By Helene Tinkler

The time has come for me to move on from my role at the Association for Community Empowerment Solutions, ACESWorld, and I wanted to take a few moments to reflect on and share my experiences. I had the opportunity to work in member outreach and engagement for the Gender Equality Data Collaborative. When I began the role, I expected to learn about data collection, partnerships, and the mechanics of supporting global organizations. What I did not expect was how profoundly the experience would impact me.

I was able to support two data sprints orchestrated by member organizations. During these focused efforts, our members worked tirelessly to collect surveys from women and girls in their communities. In short periods of time, thousands of responses were gathered—each one representing a story, a challenge, and a voice that might otherwise go unheard.

Through my outreach work, I had the privilege of meeting the leaders who are driving local change. They run grassroots organizations that serve their communities directly—listening to women, advocating for their needs, and building solutions from the ground up. Despite the obstacles they face, they remain dedicated. They operate with extremely limited resources, yet they show up every day with determination, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of women and girls. Their passion, resilience, and generosity left a lasting impression on me. I feel incredibly grateful to have learned from them.

It’s easy to feel discouraged by the constant stream of negative news we see every day. But my work with the GEDC reminded me that beyond the headlines, there are countless people quietly working to make the world better. The GEDC is a growing network of 90 organizations where people dedicate their time, talent, and energy to advancing gender equality. Many of them do this work with very little recognition and very limited resources. Yet the impact they are creating is real and meaningful.

To the members of the GEDC: Being able to support you, even in a small way, has been one of the most meaningful experiences of my professional journey so far. You have inspired me, challenged me, and reminded me why this work matters.

If there is one lesson I will carry forward, it is this: the world is full of people doing extraordinary work to lift others up. Sometimes their efforts aren’t visible on the global stage, but they are transforming lives every single day.

And I feel incredibly lucky to have witnessed it firsthand.