Women Leaders Find Nourishment in Community

Photos of Bolivia gathering © Cultural Survival.

When we bring together women environmental leaders in supportive community, they often tell us, “I don’t feel alone anymore.” They share their experiences of deep burnout, loneliness, and a pressure to conform to narrow expectations of leadership—even when it feels disconnected from their values and inner wisdom.

Growing research shows that we can improve environmental outcomes by including more women and women of color in leading and delivering solutions. Despite progress in diversifying environmental organizations, barriers to equity at work, home, and in society stifle this progress. The result? We’re losing vital leaders at this crucial time for our planet.

Planet Women’s work is an antidote, sustaining and expanding women’s environmental leadership. And bringing women together is key. One of our favorite Planet Women stories from 2023 is this parallel moment: women environmental defenders gathering in Santa Cruz in October—twice. In this video, hear this amazing story from Planet Women staff Joanna Marshall and Janet Nguyen. One gathering took place near Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia and the other occurred in Santa Cruz, California, USA.

Each gathering brought together around 15 women for in-person skill-building and connection. Planet Women hosted the U.S. gathering for the 100 Women Pathway, and our grant partner Cultural Survival hosted the Bolivia gathering with funds from Planet Women. Here’s what participants said about the experience:

"This type of gathering is very important because it helps us reaffirm the importance of taking care of our Taita earth, Taita water. It reminds us of the connection we have with our feminine being and the care we also need to have towards the territory of our bodies as we take care of the territory of our land"

-Cultural Survival Gathering Muskuy Tisoy (Inga)

“I am coming away from this workshop with an immense amount of renewed confidence and hope not only in myself but in our collective ability to tackle the massive crises at hand.”

-100 Women Pathway gathering attendee

A continent apart, these women leaders are part of the same movement to heal ourselves, our communities, and the precious Earth we share. We are so grateful for their leadership and for your support of this work! Will you donate what you can today to help us continue?