Climate activist and Rachel’s Network Catalyst Awardee Heather McTeer Toney insists that those most affected by climate change are best suited to lead the movement. In her forthcoming book “Before the Streetlights Come On,” and in this excerpt from the book, she talks about how environmental action and racial justice must be deeply intertwined to build a better future.
Rachel’s Network announced the awardees and finalists of its 2022 Catalyst Award. The award honors women leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet, and provides them with financial support, wraparound leadership services, and public recognition.
Diverse groups are more effective yet only 22 percent of nonprofit board members are people of color. The situation is even worse for environmental nonprofits. Members Marcia Angle, Sam Boren, and Kim Milligan have all worked to ensure their nonprofits better reflect the communities they serve. In this Q&A, they share their experiences and advice for other board members.
In the US alone, about $30 trillion is sitting in retirement accounts. There’s no excuse for employers not to offer more sustainable funds—they’re plentiful, they perform well, and they improve employee engagement. Here’s how Rachel’s Network did it.
This morning, the Supreme Court issued its decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case which has struck down 50 years of abortion rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. In 26 states — affecting 36 million women — abortion services will be restricted, banned, and in some cases even criminalized. The ruling is an appalling blow to human rights and reproductive justice.
When the problems of our world are so multi-faceted and the system so entrenched, where is the best place to put our time and resources? A recent piece in Stanford Social Innovation Review, “The Relational Work of Systems Change,” suggests an answer: it’s the connections between people and institutions that are capable of changing systems, not the parts in isolation. As a network that connects women changemakers, we strive to embody this lesson. Read our annual report and learn about the projects we supported in 2021.
