We are Deeds Not Words
Ten Years of building youth power in Texas
“We believe in a Texas where we are free to choose, free to act, free to dream, and free to envision a better future.”
For generations, Texas has been ground zero in a national fight to preserve, protect, and expand our fundamental rights. This is where Roe v Wade began, ensuring access to legal and safe abortions for generations and where Lawrence v. Texas decriminalized same-sex relationships nationwide. This is the birthplace of strong activists like Barbara Jordan, James Farmer, Jovita Idar, and countless more who have fought to strengthen our democracy. And critically, Texas remains on the front lines of an enduring effort to ensure the dignity and rights of immigrant communities. What happens in Texas matters for every American and that is why we fight.
We know that today Texas suffers at the hands of radical, out-of-touch politicians who would rather divide us than put forward equitable policies that allow all Texans to thrive. Just like the Texans that came before us, we have learned to persevere and fight back against injustice.
Every progressive social movement for change has been led in part by the passion and moral clarity of young leaders, that strong legacy of impact should be respected and invested in. We are shaping the future of Texas by investing in the youth voice. Despite this fact, too often the issues impacting young Texans go unrecognized and our voices are silenced.
WHERE IT STARTED
After gaining national recognition for her 2013 filibuster for reproductive rights, former Texas State Senator, Wendy Davis, founded Deeds Not Words in 2016. Deeds Not Words began its work as a non-profit that sought to empower and activate the voices of young women in public and political discourse.
When we began, the goal was to give emerging leaders the tools needed to turn their passion into effective action, particularly young women mobilized in the aftermath of the 2016 Presidential election. We taught civic engagement skills to young women who used what they learned to organize, advocate for policy change and increase voter participation.
In 2018, we expanded our efforts with the founding of our Changemaker Chapters that supported and engaged with Texas youth attending high schools, colleges, and universities. Regardless of how you identify, Deeds became a space for young leaders from across the state to gain the skills necessary to fight for gender justice and other critical issues.
In an effort to support and build youth power, we organized: film screenings and art displays, voter registration on campuses, civil protests, and more; all of which brought together Texans from all across the state to show that young people deserve a seat at the table.
To date, we are proud that our changemakers were instrumental in supporting the passage of 29 pieces of legislation. Together, we created a safer environment on college campuses and a statewide human trafficking prevention curriculum in our public high schools. Two city ordinances to push progress towards period poverty. And, countless annual projects to show that the student voice is active and loud.
After years of victories and multiple challenging and successful campaigns, we are proud to have worked with over thousands of youth activists, over 50 organizations, and 9 coalitions, to make change.
WHERE WE ARE NOW
After 10 years of activism, Deeds Not Words has evolved to an organization where young people across the state can learn to be advocates and organize for the betterment of their generation and beyond.
Deeds Not Words is a youth organizing non-profit, rooted in gender justice, that galvanizes the power of young leaders across Texas to champion a just future through leadership development, advocacy, and cultural organizing.
We envision a world where equality is not just an aspiration, but a reality. Together we are working towards a world where young Texans are equipped with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to advocate for themselves and others, creating systemic change.
Young Texans are not just “future leaders” — they are today’s powerful changemakers.
Over the years we created and advocated agendas that focused on creating a more equitable framework through legislation. Now as we move into 2026, we have reflected and reevaluated our strategies and are in preparation for our upcoming 10 year anniversary.
WHERE WE ARE GOING
We aim to build a new generation of leaders across Texas who will advance the fight for justice, equality, and opportunity for all.
To build the just future that all Texans deserve, we’re committed to:
Training the next generation of changemakers
Mobilizing young people across Texas to tell their stories
Unleashing the power of art and creative activism in our politics
Currently, we have 8 active chapters and are seeking people interested in reigniting inactive chapters in: Dallas, El Paso, College Station, RGV, Houston, and other areas.
If you or anyone you know would like more information, use this link to find out more information and apply for a new chapter or to join a chapter already established.
Read more about our work on our website. Follow us on Instagram and Twitter.