There are more than 50 workshops at the National Conference for College Women Student Leaders (NCCWSL). A wide variety of topics — from body image to how to work in politics — are represented in the workshops. The one workshop that is the most interesting to me is Caring for Ourselves, Caring for the Earth: Women and Environmental Stewardship.
Caring for Ourselves, Caring for the Earth: Women and Environmental Stewardship attempts to approach environmental protection in an ecofeminist way. When I read the description, I thought what is ecofeminism? Ecofeminism is the argument that there is a parallel between the domination of women and the destruction of nature due to masculine ideologies. However, in recent years, ecofeminists have begun to analyze social inequality, not just the ties between women and nature, but the other forms of oppression. Ecofeminists try to demonstrate that there are many forms of oppression (racism, sexism, poverty, etc.). The goal of ecofeminism is to reach balance, understanding, and harmony with nature.
There are a many types of ecofeminists from a wide variety of professions. Ecofeminists may advocate for a specific cause within the realm of ecofemisim, but they are devoted to the fundamental principles of ecofeminism.
One ecofeminist is Indian physicist, Dr. Vandana Shiva, who has spent her life advocating for an end to the exploitation of Africa, South America, and Asia. In 1988, Dr. Shiva published a book, Staying Alive: Women, Ecology, and Development, which provided the groundwork for understanding the correlations between women and the environment. It also provided an understanding of another form of ecofeminism, class oppression.
Rachel Carson, a scientist, writer, and ecologist, was another ecofeminist. Carson was concerned with the way people used various products such as pesticides, and she hoped to change their views. In 1963, she testified in front of Congress on new health and the environmental policies. Carson was dedicated to ending the oppression of nature, while trying to find a balance for humanity.
In April, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) introduced a new piece of legislation in the House Representatives. H. CON. RES. 98 “recogniz[es] the disparate impact of climate change on women and the efforts of women globally to address climate change.” This bill attempts to help women cope with climate change by implementing strategies for possible climate change. It also urges the president to consider climate change when developing new policies in the United States.
Written by Jennifer McGuire, AAUW-Leadership and Training Institute Fellow.
