Celebrating Women's History Month: Environmental Trailblazers

By: Meagan Florian

Throughout history, women have played a crucial role in shaping environmental movements, advocating for conservation, and influencing policies that protect the planet. Despite often being overlooked, their contributions have had a lasting impact on sustainability and environmental justice. Here, we highlight some of the most influential women in environmental history and their remarkable achievements.

Rachel Carson (1907–1964)
A pioneer of the modern environmental movement, Rachel Carson was a marine biologist and writer whose book, Silent Spring, she exposed the dangers of pesticides, particularly DDT. DDT is an Insecticide that causes seizures and is now banned worldwide. (Rani 2020) Her work led to a nationwide ban on DDT and helped catalyze the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Carson's legacy continues to inspire environmental advocacy and policy change.

Wangari Maathai (1940–2011)
The founder of the Green Belt Movement (GBM), Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan environmentalist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. The GBM is an environmental organization to improve the lives in Kenya that focuses on “Tree Planting and Water Harvesting, Climate Change, Mainstream Advocacy, Gender Livelihood and Advocacy”. (Cstraight Media 2011) She empowered women by promoting tree planting, environmental conservation, and sustainable development. Her movement helped restore deforested land while advocating for democracy and human rights.

Jane Goodall (b. 1934)

A world-renowned primatologist and conservationist, Jane Goodall revolutionized our understanding of chimpanzees and their behavior. Her work has not only advanced primate research but also promoted global conservation efforts through the Jane Goodall Institute. She continues to be a leading voice in wildlife protection and environmental education.

Gro Harlem Brundtland (b. 1939)
As the former Prime Minister of Norway and Chair of the World Commission on Environment and Development, Gro Harlem Brundtland introduced the concept of sustainable development through the Brundtland Report (Our Common Future). Her leadership helped frame global policies on sustainability, influencing the United Nations and climate action efforts worldwide.

Lois Gibbs (b. 1951)
A leader in grassroots environmental activism, Lois Gibbs brought national attention to the toxic waste disaster in Love Canal, New York. Lois was an “environmental activist and organizer who formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association after discovering that her entire neighborhood of Love Canal, Niagara Falls, New York, had been built on a toxic waste dump”. Her advocacy led to the creation of the Superfund program, which is responsible for cleaning up hazardous waste sites across the United States. Gibbs' activism exemplifies the power of community-led environmental justice. (Konrad 2011)

Berta Cáceres (1971–2016)
A Honduran Indigenous environmental activist, Berta Cáceres co-founded the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH). She fought against destructive hydroelectric projects that threatened Indigenous land and biodiversity. Despite facing threats, she remained a fearless advocate for environmental and human rights. This grassroots campaign earned her the 2015 Goldman Environmental Prize, and successfully pressured the world’s largest dam builder to withdraw from a project at the Rio Gualcarque.

Sylvia Earle (b. 1935)
A marine biologist and oceanographer, Sylvia Earle has dedicated her life to ocean conservation. As the first female chief scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), she has conducted groundbreaking research on marine ecosystems and championed marine protected areas. Founded Mission Blue, a global initiative to establish "Hope Spots"—protected marine areas vital to ocean health.

Julia Butterfly Hill (b. 1974)
An environmental activist known for living in the canopy of a 1,000-year-old redwood tree named Luna for 738 days. Julia Butterfly Hill successfully prevented logging in parts of California’s ancient forests. Her act of defiance brought attention to deforestation and the importance of preserving old-growth forests. She also founded the Circle of Life Foundation, which promotes environmental activism and sustainable living.

Winona LaDuke (b. 1959)

An Indigenous environmental activist and economist, Winona LaDuke has dedicated her life to protecting Native American lands and promoting sustainable development. She has led efforts against oil pipelines and other environmental threats to Indigenous communities.

Isatou Ceesay (b. 1972)

Isatou Ceesay, known as "The Queen of Recycling," is a Gambian environmental activist who pioneered the movement “one plastic bag”, to upcycle plastic waste into reusable products. She founded the Women's Initiative Gambia, which empowers women through sustainable economic opportunities while addressing plastic pollution. Her efforts have inspired community-led waste management solutions across Africa and beyond.

These women, among many others, have shaped environmental history through their dedication, activism, and leadership. Their work has transformed policies, protected ecosystems, and empowered communities around the world. As we celebrate Women's History Month, let's recognize their achievements and continue pushing for a more sustainable future.

Sources:

About Us. Mission Blue. https://missionblue.org/about/.

Cstraight Media. 2011. Wangari Maathai | The Green Belt Movement. Greenbeltmovementorg. https://www.greenbeltmovement.org/wangari-maathai.

Gro Harlem Brundtland (b. 1939). 2019 Mar 13. nordicsinfo. https://nordics.info/show/artikel/gro-harlem-brundtland.

Julia Butterfly Hill. Circle of Life. https://circleoflife.org/julia-butterfly-hill/.

Konrad K. 2011. Lois Gibbs: Grassroots Organizer and Environmental Health Advocate. American Journal of Public Health. 101(9):1558–1559. doi:https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2011.300145. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3154230/.

Lear L. 2019. Rachel Carson, The Life and Legacy. Rachelcarsonorg. https://www.rachelcarson.org/.

Rani L, Thapa K, Kanojia N, Sharma N, Singh S, Grewal AS, Srivastav AL, Kaushal J. 2020. An extensive review on the consequences of chemical pesticides on human health and environment. Journal of Cleaner Production. 283: 1-33

The Jane Goodall Institute Homepage. The Jane Goodall Institute. https://janegoodall.org/.\

WCED. 1987. Report of the world commission on environment and development: Our common future. United Nations. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/5987our-common-future.pdf.