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Women's Lifestyle Magazine

2018 Women and the Environment Symposium

Feb 02, 2018 03:31PM ● By Elyse
WMEAC offers 7th annual multi-day forum focused on women, the environment and community activism

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/