"I’d rather regret the risks that didn’t work out than the chances I didn’t take at all." - Simone Biles, Olympic gymnast
Throughout Women's History month, we've been honoring and celebrating female-identifying changemakers fighting for climate justice. This and every month, we work to recognize the creative, brilliant, and inspirational women and femmes who are transforming our political and environmental systems and building a future where everyone can thrive. This work depends on each of us committing to care for one another and the planet that sustains us. The world we want is not the one we live in. Creating a different future is difficult and will require both grace and kindness with one another and continued dedication to dismantling the oppressive systems that harm us all.
For International Women's Day, a few Sierra Club staff storytellers and digital community members reflected on the challenges faced by women environmentalists, their hopes for a better, more sustainable future, and what inspires them. Here's a peek into what moves Sierra Club changemakers.
"I am trying to live by this quote 'I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept.' It has given me the power to listen to my inner self, who I truly am, and continue pushing towards what feels right. For example, guiding women-led organizations has given me happiness and satisfaction. I am also taking a women’s leadership program, where I am learning why our journey feels different, especially as leaders, and how we can navigate through it. I believe each of us is unique and POWERFUL, our backgrounds/experiences shaped us to be who we are, and there is no one out there like us. When given the space/power, we can thrive and show the world who we are." - Parul, Associate Product Director, the Sierra Club
"Women are often funneled into jobs and tasks that were historically reserved for them in a Western patriarchal society (caretaker, housekeeper, administrative, etc). In order to reject this narrative, those with more privileges often step on the backs of other women in order to get ahead in a Western patriarchal society. Unfortunately, this perpetuates the racial and class gap between women and uplifts said patriarchal standards."
"Right now I am learning to be content with 'stillness' and am using this time to reconnect with family and the land." - Mereya, Digital Program Coordinator, the Sierra Club
"I feel that many women are often not taken seriously for their work and opinions. We constantly have to prove ourselves despite being qualified or intelligent. [I'm inspired by] immigrant women that give up everything they know and move to a new unfamiliar place to strive for a better future." - Nidhi, Senior Regional Online Organizer, the Sierra Club's Beyond Coal Campaign
"Celebrating interconnectedness and nuance–it’s central to my value system to practice holding multiple truths and embracing complexity. There’s a lot to be learned in the gray areas and by holding reverence for our interwoven existence. Many of the gifts women bring to the table break the mold of what is seen as strength, wisdom, or leadership in a deeply entrenched overculture. With constant, conscious effort to unpick the tangle of how we are perceived (especially by ourselves), we can begin to hold these unsung qualities as sacred and employ them to promote healing and build power together." - Marin, Senior Program Specialist, the Sierra Club
"I'm inspired by the thoughtful individuals creating a thriving digital community deeply based on deep organizing and creating space for voices who have consistently been left out of the climate movement. It's critical that people in our movement who have historically had more access work in solidarity with people and communities who haven't historically had as much ability to build power, including BIPOC folks, people with disabilities, trans and non-binary individuals, and more. This means not just uplifting stories and lived experiences but also sharing and giving up power whenever possible." - Hillary, Senior Digital Innovations Campaigner, the Sierra Club
"I believe there has been a positive shift over the years towards equality and feminism because of men and women who have paved the way by uplifting voices and supporting women.
When I was growing up, I saw that women before me did not have opportunities to be what they wanted to be but they worked hard for my girls in my generation and future generations to be inspired, empowered and educated. I feel I owe everything I am today to the women before me. I am thankful to my family for supporting me to follow my dreams. I always wanted to serve my community and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a mission-driven organization. I hope to continue making a difference in the community." - Bhavishya, Programmer and Analyst for the Sierra Club