Women's Health and Environment : Our Stories

Our Stories

Women play an important role in leading the movement for a healthy environment. Some of us influence policy decisions, some educate workers exposed to harmful chemicals, some do scientific research and writing, and others organize in their community. Behind these various approaches to change is a tapestry of people’s stories, including their personal motivation, explanations of how certain policies came to pass, and important lessons learned along the way. Below are stories of some of the inspirational women who are shaping our society and our collective legacy.

Ann Blake

Consultant
We need work that doesn’t endanger the health of workers, communities or consumers of the products manufactured. And work that provides a living wage for workers and communities.

more>>

Julia Liou

Asian Health Services
The collaborative was formed out of the concerns for the health and safety issues of the nail salon owners and workers, particularly because the products that workers handle on a daily basis contain chemicals that are known to be carcinogenic and suspected to cause reproductive harm.

more>>

Karen Joy Miller

Huntington Breast Cancer Action Coalition
So if the movement can do one thing, which is really keep the focus on risk reduction through research, through policy and through personal care then we’ve done a lot.

more>>

Jeanne Rizzo

Breast Cancer Fund
We talk to each other because we have to, and if we have to talk about environmental health, if that becomes part of the passion of our language then I think social change will come out of that.

more>>

Linda Williams

Planned Parenthood Mar Monte
Just be prepared to become one of that band of formidable, unstoppable women because we need to protect the planet and those of us on it now, not tomorrow and not next year or next decade.

more>>

Diana Zuckerman

National Research Center for Woman & Families
I think that a lot of people who care about health and the environment are cynical about the ability to influence Congress or the White House...but actually people who vote and people who contact their congressperson do have some power and the more they act the more power they have.

more>>