For Women’s History Month we’re profiling some amazing activists from the Sierra Club and beyond. This week we’re profiling Rebecca Kling, who recently moved on from the Sierra Club after three years as a press secretary to start her own firm - Better World Collaborative. While at the Sierra Club, Kling worked to uplift the voices and stories of others – it is fitting that she is being written about during Women’s History Month because her story deserves to go down in the books.
Before she was an activist, Kling was heavily involved in theater. She grew up taking theater classes just outside of Chicago–she became an assistant theater teacher in college, and taught middle and high school theater after graduating. It was this time in the theater that first showed Kling the power of stories to change people’s hearts and minds.
Kling is proud of her accomplishments as a Sierra Club press secretary. One example of that is last spring’s people’s hearing for Evergy customers in Missouri and Kansas. “It was clear that the public service committees and public utility commissions in the states weren’t adequately getting public input,” said Kling. “So we held a hearing ourselves with a coalition of groups. We worked on making it a platform for community members who weren’t being listened to or supported.”
Another proud moment for Kling is the report detailing the failure of fossil fuels in Texas during last year’s Winter Storm Uri. “It was another time of working with colleagues to make sure we’re uplifting the voices not being heard,” said Kling. “We included details that hadn’t been discussed among regulators and policy makers, like how to ensure blackouts don’t only hit communities of color harder than white communities, or how energy assistance programs can connect with people who rent or otherwise don’t own their home.”
Kling’s dedication to paving the way for long-lasting change has led her to starting her own firm with her friend - Better World Collaborative. Better World Collaborative focuses on diversity, equity and inclusion coaching for companies and non-profits. The firm is currently working with the ACLU in the fight against anti-transgender bills being introduced in state houses across the US.
“With the ACLU we’re working to elevate the voices and stories of young trans people, their parents and families and educators, and medical professionals,” explained Kling. “When these anti-trans bills are introduced we want people to clearly see the harm of those bills. It allows us to push back against the other side’s nonsensical hypotheticals about transgender people.”
“I got involved in advocacy as a trans person fighting for trans rights. I think right now that’s where my strength is needed the most.”
Kling sees the link between the fight for transgender rights and for the environment - and other movements. “From a moral standpoint, we all need to rise in solidarity together because it’s all connected. If we don’t focus on the attacks against trans people, they’ll come for others next. We’re seeing it’s not just about trans rights, too. It’s about women and bodily autonomy, healthcare, affordable housing – it’s all connected.
“Politicians are using trans rights as a wedge to distract from other issues, and we can’t afford to let that happen,” she said. “We know that trans rights, and critical race theory, and abortion, and more are being used to fan the flames of the culture war and as a way for politicians to avoid talking about wealth inequality, systemic racism, criminal justice reform, or any of the countless other things government could do to make people’s lives better instead of worse.”
For those who are wondering how can help stem the rising tide of anti-trans bills nationwide, Kling urges more conversations. “Keep talking about these issues, bring it up with friends and family and on social media,” she explained. “Being a vocal ally for trans people is really important. You can also donate to and get involved with the related advocacy organizations. And please call your elected officials and tell them to oppose these bills!
“In the face of all these attacks, we need strong and visible people rising up to say, ‘No!’”