“To recognize the fact that securing peace and social progress and the full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms requires the active participation, equality, and development of women; and to acknowledge the contribution of women to the strengthening of international peace and security.” – United Nations General Assembly
From Joan of Arc to Rosa Parks, women have played a tremendous role in transforming our lives and our world. What started off as just a single day has now become a month-long celebration recognizing the political, economic, and social achievements of women. Over the centuries, women have banded together to ensure their right to vote, fight for fair and equal pay, and choose what they do with their own bodies. Health, sports, the arts, politics, science, you name it – women have not only participated but led the way. The fight for a greener world is no different. EnviroPerks would like to acknowledge three women that have changed the way we think, live, and treat the planet.
We Have Arrived For Our Prize
Wangari Maathai is a world-renowned political, social, and environmental activist. Born in Kenya, Ms. Maathai was selected to study in the U.S. where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Mount St. Scholastica College and then received her Master’s degree in biology from the University of Pittsburgh. She was environmentally active in Pittsburgh and took that passion back with her to Kenya, where she eventually founded the Green Belt Movement. The Green Belt Movement is an environmental organization that empowers women to conserve the environment in order to improve their communities and secure their livelihood. Through her contributions and daring endeavors, Professor Wangari Maathai became the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize as well as the first environmentalist to ever be so honored. Power to the Planet.
Let Green Freedom Ring
If we are honoring women who exemplify great social and environmental change, there is no way to do so without mentioning Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. At age 29, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took office as the youngest woman ever to serve in the United States Congress. AOC, as she’s fondly known, is a trailblazer like the women before her, committed to income equality for working-class Americans and environmental justice for the planet. Her participation and introduction of the Green New Deal fosters a comprehensive and ambitious roadmap designed to “combat climate change by creating millions of high-wage jobs in new green industries, transition our energy system and build new infrastructure.” This is a great step in creating a successfully sustainable green economy. It’s a tough job but some woman’s gotta do it.
We’re Not Gonna Take It
Greta Thunberg…enough said! This young woman single-handedly became the face of the environmental youth movement, but her activism actually began at home. She started by convincing her family to make small changes in their lifestyle to reduce their carbon footprint. After seeing this success, she was inspired and challenged to do more. As a teen, she protested by skipping school. Every Friday, Greta skipped class and sat outside the Swedish parliament in protest to bring awareness of the environmental devastation climate change has on the planet. Her actions led to millions of kids all over the world organizing walk-outs and marching to their respective municipalities to have their voices heard. This made Thunberg the leader of the largest climate strike in history.
Women have contributed in a myriad of ways to change the landscape of life as we know it. The one thing these ladies and the pioneers before them had in common is that they started in their own homes, neighborhoods, and communities. We all can do our part to keep this legacy going. Taking small steps like reducing the amount of meat we eat, walking or riding a bike instead of driving, using refillable water bottles, packing our own lunches, and even using our buying power to shop with sustainable businesses are all easy ways to be the green we want to see in the world.
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Jammica Boone is a writer and content creator for Enviroperks.