Many Rachel’s Network members are fighting the data center construction boom across the country. At our last spring meeting in Detroit, Rachel’s Network heard from Catalyst Recipient Michelle Martinez about the impacts she’s seeing in Michigan and how communities can respond.
Rachel’s Network announced the awardees and finalists of its 2025 Catalyst Award. Now in its seventh year, the Catalyst Award honors women leaders of color for their commitment to a healthy planet, and provides them with financial and leadership support, and public recognition.
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.
Native organizers in Minnesota are leading on-the-ground resistance to urge President Biden to revoke permits and halt construction, provide legal support to water protectors, and communicate the threat posed by Line 3. Rachel’s Network provided a grant through the Equation Campaign to support the coalition.
The American Chemistry Council has identified $36 billion in potential petrochemical and plastic manufacturing investments in the Ohio River Valley and corporations have already begun building ethane cracker plants, pipelines, storage facilities, and other dirty infrastructure. Rachel’s Network is partnering with the People Over Petro Coalition to fight back.
