2018 Women and the Environment Symposium
Feb 02, 2018 03:31PM ● By Elyse
In partnership with The Grand Valley Women’s Center and Office of Sustainability Practices, the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) will produce the 7th annual Women and the Environment Symposium, beginning Monday, Feb. 19 and ending Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018.
The week-long, five-event symposium will explore the intersection between women’s and environmental issues. With a kick-off celebration at Creston Brewery, the symposium will culminate with the Hidden Heroine Awards reception and a keynote address by Co-Founder and Executive Director of WE ACT, Peggy Shepard.
Shepard has greatly advanced environmental policy through grassroots, community-lead, participatory action. Because of WE ACT, communities like Harlem, in addition to other neighborhoods in New York City, are experiencing significantly cleaner and healthier environments, while also motivating community participation.
WMEAC attributes campaigns such as Coalition for Asthma Free Homes, Healthy, Sustainable Public Housing, Northern Manhattan Climate Action (NMCA) Plan, and others to Shepard’s community activism, which spans two decades. “Shepard is an important voice in the environmental justice movement, bridging disparity and equality issues in our communities for equitable, clean environments,” said WMEAC Director of Development, Mary Robinson.
WMEAC hopes the symposium will not only raise awareness toward environmental issues, but also inspire women and men to advocate for environmental issues that affect our neighborhoods and communities. The 7th annual Women and the Environment Symposium is sponsored by Brewery Vivant, Steelcase, Women’s Lifestyle, Hungry Architecture, The Rapid, Renae Hesselink, Dominican Sisters, Congress for the New Urbanism, and Past Perfect.
2018 WOMEN AND THE ENVIRONMENT SYMPOSIUM EVENT SCHEDULE:
Women and Environment Networking Kick-off
DATE: Monday, February 19, 2018
TIME: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
VENUE: Creston Brewery, 1504 Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
COST: Free to attend
Advocacy Workshop
DATE: Thursday, February 22, 2018
TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
VENUE: Trinity United Methodist Church, 1100 Lake Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
COST: $5.00
TICKETS: Purchase tickets online at https://wmeac.org/women-and-the-environment/#rsvp
Community Organization Service Fair
DATE: Saturday, February 24, 2018
TIME: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
VENUE: Linc Up, 1167 Madison Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507
COST: Free to attend
*Organizations can register for space at this event at https://wmeac.org/women-and-the-environment/#tabling
Film: American Revolutionary - The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs
DATE: Sunday, February 25, 2018
TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
VENUE: Donnelly Center at Aquinas College, 157 Woodward Ln SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506
COST: $5.00
TICKET INFORMATION: Purchase tickets online at https://wmeac.org/women-and-the-environment/#rsvp
Peggy Shepard Keynote Speaker and Awards Reception
DATE: Tuesday, February 27, 2018
TIME: 5:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M.
VENUE: GVSU Downtown Campus, Richard M DeVos Center Loosemore Auditorium, 401 Fulton St W, Grand Rapids, MI, 49504
COST: $20 WMEAC members/ $25 non-members/ Students free with ID
TICKET INFORMATION: Purchase tickets here.
You can find out more, and sign up for events at wmeac.org/women-and-the-environment/