News
Rachel’s Network Provides Grant to Tompkins Conservation for Rewilding in Southern Chile
In 2019, Tompkins Conservation donated one million acres to Chile to help establish 10 million acres of new national parks in the country. Rachel’s Network traveled to Chile earlier this year to meet Tompkins Conservation staff, including president and co-founder Kristine Tompkins, and visit two of the new parks – Pumalín and Patagonia. The trip left an impression on members who subsequently provided a grant to Tompkins to support their continued conservation work.
Greening Youth Foundation CEO and Founder Angelou Ezeilo Joins Rachel’s Network as Advisor
Greening Youth Foundation (GYF) CEO and Founder Angelou Ezeilo, a leading expert on diversity, equity and inclusion in the conservation field, has joined Rachel’s Network as an advisor. Angelou is working to change the face of conservation in the United States and help young people of color find meaningful outdoor careers.
Climate Champion Annel Hernandez Wins Inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award.
Rachel’s Network announced that it has awarded climate champion Annel Hernandez with its inaugural Catalyst Award. As associate director of the New York City Environmental Justice Alliance and member of the NY Renews coalition, Annel was one of the key players in the passage of New York’s new climate law passed in July 2019, the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.
Tribal Attorney Tara Houska Wins Inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network announced that it has awarded tribal attorney Tara Houska with its inaugural Catalyst Award. Tara (Couchiching First Nation Anishinaabe) is former campaigns director of Honor the Earth, former advisor on Native American affairs to Bernie Sanders, and founder of Giniw collective, a grassroots, frontlines effort led by indigenous women to protect Anishinaabe territory from the destruction of Enbridge’s Line 3 tar sands project.
Environmental Justice Advocate Juliana Pino Wins Inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network announced that it has awarded environmental justice advocate Juliana Pino with its inaugural Catalyst Award. Juliana is policy director at the Little Village Environmental Justice Organization (LVEJO), a community-based frontline group that organizes for environmental justice and self-determination of immigrant, low-income, and working-class families. She was lead negotiator for low-income programs in the 2016 Illinois Future Energy Jobs Act, the most transformative piece of energy system legislation in the state’s history.
Environmental Policy Leader Brionté McCorkle Wins Inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network announced that it has awarded environmental policy leader Brionté McCorkle with its inaugural Catalyst Award. Brionté is the director of Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV) where she works to elect pro-environment candidates and hold elected officials accountable. In 2014, Brionté led the Georgia Sierra Club’s successful effort to expand Atlanta’s transit system.
Water Rights Advocate Maria Herrera Wins Inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network announced that it has awarded safe drinking water advocate Maria Herrera with its inaugural Catalyst Award. Maria has devoted her career to addressing drinking water challenges in disadvantaged and rural farmworker communities. As the manager of community engagement and planning at Self-Help Enterprises, she and her team pioneered the Rural Communities Water Managers Leadership Institute, a program that helps communities in the San Joaquin Valley engage with and influence regional water planning and sustainability programs.
Environmental Health Advocate Heather Toney Wins Inaugural Rachel’s Network Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network announced that it has awarded environmental health advocate Heather Toney with its inaugural Catalyst Award. Heather is the national field director for Moms Clean Air Force, an organization of over one million moms and dads committed to fighting air pollution and climate change. Among her accomplishments, Heather developed a program to engage the African American faith-based community on environmental health, and one to connect mothers with mayors on climate solutions.
Announcing the Winners of the 2019 Catalyst Award
Rachel’s Network today announced six recipients of its inaugural Catalyst Award. The award provides women environmental leaders of color support and recognition for their commitment to a healthy planet, along with a $10,000 prize, networking opportunities, and national recognition for their work. The 2019 winners are: Annel Hernandez, Maria Gallegos Herrera, Tara Houska, Brionté McCorkle, Juliana Pino, and Heather Toney.
Invest for Better: A Campaign to Help Women Invest for Social and Environmental Good
Invest for Better was launched in January 2019 to revolutionize the impact investing ecosystem by helping women demystify impact investing, take control of their capital, and mobilize their money for good. Ellen Remmer, senior partner at The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI), shares how the project works.