Building a Better World: Women and Climate Justice

Day One Welcome & Opening Remarks with President Leocadia I. Zac, Laura Turner Seydel and Dr. Stacey Dutton Building Strong Collaborations with Wanjira Mathai and Pat Mitchell Engaging Leaders with Tara Houska and Rose Scott From Analysis to Action: The Drawdown Georgia Initiative with Blair Beasley, Jasmine Crowe, Whitney Brown, and Michelle Moore Day Two Welcome Back with Mayor Patti Garrett & Inspiring Community Action with Katharine Wilkinson, Leah Trotman, Seva Gandhi, and Wawa Gatheru Creating Innovation in the Business Sector with Laurel Graefe, Evelyn Bolden, Ashley Schulten, Danielle Decatur, and Sara B. Chandler Establishing Leadership in Challenging Times with Dr. Cecilia Martinez and Chandra Farley Advocating for Just Communities:…

Keynote Two September 23, 2021 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm The second keynote session will a conversation with Rose Scott, HOST and Executive Producer: CLOSER LOOK WITH ROSE SCOTT and Tara Houska, an attorney and prominent leader in environmental justice for Indigenous people. Tara will reflect on leadership from her perspective as a national climate change leader, especially her direct experience with Standing Rock. She will also speak about advancing leadership, and engaging new leaders  related to both challenges and solutions for women in climate justice. Tara Houska, Tribal Attorney, Giniw Collective Founder and Former Advisor on Native American Affairs to Bernie Sanders Tara Houska (Couchiching First Nation Anishinaabe) is a tribal…

In our final gathering, experienced climate justice advocates will reflect on the message of the conference but more importantly, respond to what they have heard with a call to action for moving forward. The call to action will prioritize how everyone can take what has been learned about Women and Climate Justice and work together to Build a Better World.  Dianne Dillon-Ridgley A lifelong advocate for human rights, women’s empowerment, and sustainability Dianne Dillon-Ridgley made her first foray into the environmental field as a college intern during the early days of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Since then the Dallas native has traveled around the globe promoting women’s rights and…

This session provides attendants an opportunity for professional development and networking. It also includes breakout sessions to explore opportunities in academia, non-profit and private sectors. Panelists will participate in a guided discussion and then go into breakout sessions led by a panelist.  Join Lori M. Lombardo, Shana Udvardy, Meghan Franklin, Ebony Webber virtually on September 23rd at 6:00PM. Moderated by Dr. Venice Jennings and Agnes Mackintosh. Access the Virtual Event Here: https://agnesscott.zoom.us/j/93231384533 Meghan Franklin, Consultant, Deloitte, D.C., Data Scientist and Visualization (ASC Alumna)  Meghan Franklin currently works as a Consultant at Deloitte Consulting LLP. She completed the Data Science certificate program at Georgetown University, obtained a Master of Science degree…

Friday, September 24th | 1:00 pm – 2:15pm EST This panel is a conversation among national, Georgia and metro-Atlanta activists focusing on their experience on taking action for healthy communities in the face of climate change. Meet your Moderator, Na’Taki Osborne Jelks Dr. Na’Taki Osborne Jelks is an Assistant Professor in the Environmental and Health Sciences Program at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA.  Dr. Jelks investigates urban environmental health disparities; the role that place, race, and social factors play in influencing health; cumulative risk assessment; the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations, and the connection between urban watersheds, pollution, the built environment, and health.  She also develops, implements, and…

Welcome First Conference Panel. Thursday, September 23rd | 3:30PM – 4:45PM EST Drawdown Georgia is a statewide initiative focused on scaling market-ready, high-impact climate solutions in Georgia this decade. It provides a roadmap of 20 solutions that can advance not just decarbonization, but other societal priorities, including equity, public health, economic development, and the larger environment. Panelists will explore how they are working to equitably scale solutions, including reducing food waste, increasing energy efficiency in homes and houses of worship, and growing rooftop solar- efforts that both reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lift up communities in our state.  Meet Your Moderator, Blair Beasley Blair Beasley is the director of climate…

Welcome Second Conference Panel. Friday, September 24th | 10:30AM – 11:45AM EST The panelists will discuss their companies’ commitment to addressing climate change and climate justice. They will highlight recent initiatives in investment, renewable energy, transportation and technology, at the local, national and global levels. Opportunities for community involvement with private sector innovation will be highlighted. Meet Your Moderator, Laurel Graefe Laurel Graefe (pronounced gray·fee) is the regional executive at the Nashville Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. As the senior officer leading the Federal Reserve in Nashville, she is responsible for the branch’s board of directors and strategic direction, oversees its economic research activities, and advises on…

Welcome Keynote Guest for our Fourth Conference Keynote Session: Establishing Leadership in Challenging Times Friday, September 24th | 11:45AM – 12:45PM EST Agnes Scott is announcing another exciting keynote speaker in the lineup for day two of the Building a Better World:  Women and Climate Justice conference, taking place September 23-24, 2021. Dr. Cecilia Martinez brings the most recent news about national climate leadership from Washington, DC. – including her firsthand report on the recommendations recently submitted by the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Cecilia Martinez Dr. Cecilia Martinez is the Senior Director for Environmental Justice (EJ) at the White House Council for Environmental Quality (CEQ). In this role, she facilitates…