March is Women’s History Month, and March 8 marked International Women’s Day. These holidays make me think not only about the women who came before us, but also about the women doing the hard work right now, often without much recognition.
Recently, I spent a day with Carlyn Fingers, a case manager for permanent supportive housing at Housing Up in Washington, DC.
Most of her day happens on the move — driving from apartment to apartment across the city, checking in on clients, writing reports from her car in parking lots or parks, and answering calls along the way.
Carlyn supports clients who have received vouchers for permanent supportive housing, which provides stable homes for individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness and often face additional challenges such as mental health struggles, disability, or long-term financial instability.
A housing voucher means something profound – a door that locks and a place to sleep. Ultimately, the chance to begin rebuilding a life.
But a voucher alone isn’t enough.
That’s where people like Carlyn come in.
Her job isn’t just helping clients find housing. It’s helping clients adjust to their new space, navigate systems, access resources, and stay on track after years of uncertainty. Some days she’s helping someone get furniture. Other days, she’s making sure a client gets to a medical appointment or simply checking in to make sure they’re okay.
The work rarely fits neatly into a 9-to-5 schedule. And it isn’t easy work.
Many of the people she supports are dealing with depression, parenting stress, or years of trauma. Case managers often face heavy caseloads and unpredictable schedules.
Jobs like this have high burnout rates. The emotional weight is real.
But Carlyn keeps showing up.
What struck me most while filming was her energy. No matter how long the day or how complicated the situation, she brought encouragement and optimism to every client she met. She moved through the city like a one-person support system: part advocate, part coach, and part cheerleader.
Women’s History Month might celebrate extraordinary accomplishments from the past, but it can also highlight the everyday work that keeps communities moving forward.
Women like Carlyn may not make headlines. But one of the privileges of my work is getting to showcase people like her, whose passion and persistence are helping people rebuild their lives, one visit at a time.
When organizations take the time to capture and share these stories, it not only honors the people doing the work — it helps others understand the impact that happens behind the scenes. And sometimes, that understanding is what inspires someone to step in and help.