Rachel’s Network celebrated its 25th anniversary by announcing a new program to support women leaders of color with long experience in and deep dedication to the environmental movement: the Legacy Award. The inaugural Legacy awardees will participate in a week-long retreat in Dakar, Senegal. There, they will meet social justice leaders, connect with each other, and have space for reflection, learning, and rest.
There’s no getting around it: the years ahead will be arduous for both women and the environment. Everything our organization and members have worked for in the last 25 years is now at risk because of the new administration. But while some politicians, corporations, and organizations are distancing themselves from vital environmental work and diversity, equity, and inclusion, Rachel’s Network remains resolute.
Rachel’s Network, a nonprofit that elevates and supports women environmental leaders, today announced the addition of five new members to its board of directors: Annel Hernandez, Maria Kolby-Wolfe, Dr. Virginia Necochea, Autumn Saxton-Ross, PhD, and Dr. Nikki Traylor-Knowles. Following these appointments, the board will comprise 16 directors.
As an organization committed to supporting the most marginalized leaders in the environmental movement, Rachel’s Network is appalled by recent moves to rollback DEI in the Trump administration. We stand with our grantee-partners and broader network in continuing to shine a light on injustice and ways to dismantle it. We will also continue to run the Catalyst Award, our annual program for women environmental leaders of color.
Rachel’s Network hosted its first in-person event exclusively for Catalyst awardees and finalists at the Kripalu Center For Yoga & Health in Stockbridge, Massachusetts in November for a gathering focused on care and restoration for women environmental leaders of color.
Rachel’s Network announced the awardees and finalists of its 2024 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.
