Five Female Environmentalists Who Made History (Video Edition)
We’re celebrating Women’s History Month by shining the spotlight on five changemakers with an inspiring legacy of activism. From planting trees to saving songbirds, from protecting our oceans to speaking for the land, these individuals have changed our planet for the better. Their dedication and bravery inspire us every day of the year.
1. Rachel Carson
You’ve probably heard of Silent Spring, the groundbreaking work that triggered an environmental movement and led to a nationwide ban on DDT. It all began when Carson received a letter in 1958 concerning the death of songbirds. Carson devoted her life to exploring the effect human actions have on nature, and her legacy lives on today.
2. Wangari Maathai
Professor Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement, which has planted over 51 million trees in Kenya since 1977. She became the first female professor in her home country, the first female scholar from East and Central Africa to earn a doctorate in biology, and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, which she received for her vast contributions to sustainable development.
3. Isatou Ceesay
Isatou Ceesay is known as the Queen of Recycling in The Gambia. She created the Njai Recycling and Income Generation Group, which turns plastic bag waste into purses, creating revenue streams for local women. Ceesay also educates and empowers women through environmental advocacy.
4. Sylvia Earle
A marine biologist and deep diving pioneer, Earle has inspired generations of people to value our oceans. She has spent over forty years at the forefront of ocean exploration, is an expert on the impact of oil spills, and became the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In 1998, Time magazine named her “Hero of the Planet”, and she’s still an advocate for preservation today.
5. Winona LaDuke
Winona LaDuke is a Native American environmentalist, activist, and writer who advocates on issues of climate change, renewable energy, sustainable development, food systems, and environmental justice. A member of the Mississippi Band Anishinaabeg, she co-founded Honor the Earth, a Native American-led organization that works to raise public awareness and increase financial resources for the Native environmental movement. In 1997 LaDuke was named Woman of the Year by Ms. Magazine and in 2007 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame.