Women's History Month Social Media Toolkit
As we celebrate the contributions of women leaders to the environmental movement, both past and present, we also acknowledge the disproportionate impact of environmental pollution and harm faced by women, particularly Black women. The work of women environmental activists—often under-resourced and invisible—is worthy of celebration not just this month but all year long.
Below you’ll find articles, resources, partner organizations and sample tweets to share this intersectional work. Join us in amplifying the impressive advocacy and programs led by our partnerships!
Gender & Climate
Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities. The communities most impacted by climate disruption are often the ones that contribute the least to the problem and contribute to the most to climate solutions. Often, that includes women and trans and gender nonconforming people.
Sample Tweets
Use the link below to share to twitter, or copy and paste to your Facebook page.
Women have proven to be leading the way towards more equitable and sustainable solutions to climate change. Let’s give them the support they deserve.#ClimateChangemakers #envirowomxn http://feministgreennewdeal.com/ #WomensHistoryMonth2021
By rooting our solutions to the climate crisis in feminist and justice-centered approaches, we not only stand a better chance at addressing the climate crisis, we also disrupt and dismantle existing systems of inequality. #FemGND #envirowomxn http://feministgreennewdeal.com/ #WomensHistoryMonth
In the face of climate disaster -- fires, drought, hurricane, flood and freeze -- many have trouble bouncing back. Women, particularly BIPOC women, face even more challenges due to existing inequities. Learn more: https://www.sierraclub.org/press-releases/2020/03/landmark-report-highlights-critical-need-for-gender-based-climate-policies-us #envirowomxn #WomensHistoryMonth
Gender & Toxic Chemicals
Sierra Club’s Gender & Toxics Program is calling on government agencies and corporations to take responsibility in safeguarding and cleaning up toxic chemicals that disproportionately burden women, especially Black and Brown women. We are actively informing solutions, litigating, and supporting our grassroots-level partners.
A Women’s History Month Movie Recommendation: Radium Girls
Radium Girls tells the true story of women in the 1920s who exposed a corporate cover up and made a lasting impact on workplace health and safety.
Radium belongs to a broad class of toxic “forever chemicals” that build up in our bodies and don't break down in the environment. Although the radium-based paint used on watch dials in the film was banned in the United States in the 1960s, a number of radium-contaminated industrial sites still require cleanup today.
Watch and learn more about the Radium Girls and our campaign to #StopForeverChemicals!
Sample Tweets
Use the link below to share to twitter, or copy and paste to your Facebook page.
Corporations go to great lengths to hide their use of toxic chemicals. But the "shopping our way out of the problem"—telling people, namely women, what not to buy—approach is flawed. It’s time the gov’t safeguard toxics & hold corporations accountable.
As a result of government inaction, women are given shopping tips to avoid toxic chemicals and protect their children. But these tips are no replacement for corporate accountability and the government protections, which are the most equitable and effective ways to protect health.
The impacts of toxic pollution often fall heaviest on women and children. We must make polluters pay for the mess they’ve already created, and make our government protect us by restricting the use of harmful chemicals.
The most toxic cosmetic products are sold to Black & Brown women to uphold racist beauty norms. These include skin lighteners, hair relaxers, & body powders that contain mercury, formaldehyde & asbestos. It’s time to clean up cosmetics & protect health #ToxicTalc #WeDemandJustice
This #WomensHistoryMonth we must call on the government to protect public health and the environment. For people most susceptible to chemical contamination-- like women of color-- we need solutions centered on phasing out and cleaning up these chemicals.
Women’s Environmental Leadership
The Sierra Club and Women’s Earth Alliance continue to host an annual Accelerator program for Women Grassroots Environmental Leaders. We work with women from across the United States, Guam, and Puerto Rico to scale their initiatives at the intersections of agriculture and food systems; climate justice; indigenous lifeways; renewable energy; toxics and environmental health; and water conservation. Learn more from each participant and about the dynamic program that is uplifting their work!
Sample Tweets
Women’s leadership around the world offers diverse, critical solutions to the climate crisis, yet their work continues to be under-resourced & their bodies threatened. By investing in women-led climate initiatives, we are building a thriving, inclusive future. #WomenClimateAccel
We need women’s leadership now more than ever. Check out our Grassroots Accelerator Program for Women’s Environmental Leadership! We work with @WomensEarthAlly to catalyze and supercharge climate initiatives of women-identified leaders around the U.S. #WomenClimateAccel
Articles & Resources
Spotlight: Women Crush Wednesday (#WCW)
For the past two years, the Sierra Club’s Gender Equity & Environment Program has spotlighted the leadership of women activists and leaders. Here are a few of the recent features. Please help us amplify and follow along!
This #WomenCrushWednesday, we are honoring Moñeka de Oro, who is fighting for #ClimateJustice in Guam! pic.twitter.com/ZL4codVOcg
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) December 23, 2020
It’s the first #WomanCrushWednesday of #BlackHistoryMonth and we’re honoring #BrendaHampton, a grassroots activist fighting #PFAS contamination in her community. #WCW pic.twitter.com/sXaeRlRF9p
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) February 3, 2021
Yesterday, for #WomanCrushWednesday, we honored @LeslieGFields, the Sierra Club’s new National Director of Policy, Advocacy and Legal. Prior, Leslie led the environmental justice work at the Sierra Club for more than a decade. #WCW https://t.co/8lSjL6Q6ab pic.twitter.com/w2abK5SAVE
— Sierra Club (@SierraClub) April 30, 2020
Women’s History Month Social Features
In honor of Women’s History Month, we’re acknowledging some of the incredible women who are currently MAKING history by working to protect communities and the planet. We’ll be amplifying the work of these women environmental leaders all month long on our Twitter and Instagram—follow #envirowomxn for a daily feature!
Organizations to Follow
Women’s Voices for the Earth: Twitter | Facebook
Black Women for Wellness: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Women’s Earth and Development Organization: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
Feminist Green New Deal Coalition: Check out their website.
UNHCR, The UN Refugee Agency: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook