Introducing myself and my journal: Connecting Women

About Me:
For almost five years I have been mentoring and connecting women in my local community to women’s issues globally. I am a wife and mother who attended college late. My college years provided opportunities to study in Brazil and the Philippines, as well as the opportunity to host international students in my home. These were life changing experiences that have shaped my life and my goals for the future. I received my degree in natural resources and international studies. Having the opportunity to meet and share experiences with women from around the world really brought home the connections between access to education, heath care, economic opportunity and resources. Only by providing support, opportunity and access in all of these areas will it be possible for women to be healthy and prosperous. I work for an environmental policy organization working to build the capacity of residents in Ohio’s impoverished Appalachian region.

My Passions:
Gender and the environment

My Challenges:
Finding time to advocate for international women's issues, support my family and work.

My Vision for the Future:
A world where all women have access to resources, education, health care and economic opportunity

My Areas of Expertise:
Integrated women's health and resource conservation programming, sustainability education, capacity building, grassroots organizing.