I regret that one of the organizers of the Women’s Conference on Sustainability did not receive proper acknowledgment when we all gathered earlier this month. Melissa Turley was a critical part of conference preparations, particularly marketing, and she deserves very special thanks. Melissa was unable to attend the conference because she was on her honeymoon in Mexico.

i was outside shoveling manure for the garden into a wheelbarrow when i finally heard the message that had been floating beyond my grasp since the conference the day before. A womanist perspective on sustainability might not see the changes that must be made as “the battle against climate change” for example. Rather we can look forward to what ingenuities will be inspired–what System changes will help make “doing the right thing easy and the wrong thing hard” as our horse trainer said. A green economy and green jobs include the technologies of the future and the social justice necessary to create peaceful interdependence.
i see us in this time of change finally freeing ourselves from a whole lot of poor past choices–in community planning, in leisure activities, in investments–and freeing ourselves from a long, capitalism-inspired/marketing-created litany of addictions from McMansions to gasoline to fast foods which have all stolen so much from us in terms of health, happiness and community. These qualities are what a sustainable world can offer in abundance. Demanding sacrifices and telling people the new ways will be inconvenient won’t bring them flocking to our cause. Offer a vision instead of FREEDOM from insatiable greed, freedom from isolation, freedom from so many of the fears that drive us now. We can do it! Si se puede! (Sukie the Sustainer?) - sidney smith

The day following the conference, I was riding my bike in the neighborhood. A young girl, Alex, was walking her dog, and was carrying a little notebook which she was filling with signatures for a petition to stop the delisting of wolves from the endangered species list. Lucky for me that she waved to me to stop! She and some of her other 5th grade friends had started a project to collect signatures. After sharing ideas with her for creating an official petition, and then discussing wolf habits (since I have been involved in the local wolf recovery), I discovered that she was one of the many Colter Elementary 5th graders who had raised $2K on April 2 for Greg Mortenson’s schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan,,, and that I was there that day as Greg delivered his powerful message to this enthusiastic and attentive group of young students. She was involved with two issues that I dearly believed in! I also discovered that she was raised on the Big Island of Hawaii but was living in Jackson for now. Her aloha was quite powerful as, with kindness, she flagged down every person who walked the neigborhood. When she asked me to visit her house for a glass of water, I was blown away! What a precious moment for me. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing, a developing activist!

Which leads to these questions: WHO are her teachers who are getting it right? What has she been exposed to that leads to such wisdom? And how can we insure that this direction continues throughout her school years? How can ALL children grow up with these philanthropic/activist tendencies as second nature? With a little touch of ALOHA added…… perfection!

I’m already thinking of ways to tap this incredible resource, and talent, and energy to blend sustainability, wildlife conservation, and the promotion of peace through the education of our children.

Comments welcomed. Thank you.

Lisa Robertson: lisaorobertson@cs.com

I am creating a ‘Kids Council’:  A group of children advocates whose purpose is to connect ideas for the future with community projects and efforts.

I’ve learned through my little projects that kids are the ‘peaceful crusaders’ for our future.  They know their stuff, they want to help and it’s all really easy for them.  THEY are the educators.

The Kids Council will give kids a vehicle in which to turn their ideas into reality.  They will meet, brainstorm and work together to encourage, educate and stimulate all facets of community with regard to an energy conscious and sustainable future.  I see a really active group,  possibly even participating in town/county discussions.  Of course, all with adult advisors…….

So - I need help.  How do I get this off the ground?  Any ideas?  Could this project be an offshoot of an already existing sustainability organization?  I know the 8th graders in town have a group already, but I feel that it can be bigger than that, and have more of an impact. Anyone want to meet? 

Thank you!  Lisel Spence:  lisel@lisel.net

Hello fellow well-goers!  I, too,  am still vibrating from the power and energy of the conference.  Not only did I gain vocabulary (like sustainability=balance, healthy living, quality of life….), but a new tolerance and extra tools for dealing with those who are not quite (yet) feeling the passion.  As well, the support, originality and creativity was overwhelming, ensuring that any ‘project’, no matter how big or small, will be generously fueled with encouragement from all of us.  For me, that conference was a catalyst (or kick in the ass - which ever you prefer), and I am now actively pursuing ventures (see my other post)  that I previously just let bounce around in my head.  I’ve been emboldened.  Thank you all, and hope to see you soon! 

Lisel Spence   

I have to tell you, I am still being carried by the great energy of the inaugural Women’s Conference on Sustainability! I’m thrilled to have connected with several women at the conference with whom I’m now collaborating on projects — projects on which I was working prior to the conference but honestly was feeling a little stagnant. Thank you again for goodness you all brought to the conference. I see it becoming a tradition in years to come, the proverbial “well” at which we gather each year to draw inspiration, grow our knowledge and develop community.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for an after-work gathering on Thursday, June 12 from 5:30-7:30pm in Jackson (location TBA). This will be a great chance to continue the conference dialog about what we’re all doing (or would like to do) and ways to collaborate. Nancy Taylor, author of GO GREEN: How to Build A Sustainable Community, will be giving us some insights, guidelines and inspiration. Please email me at ajack@bresnan.net by Monday, June 9 if you’d like to join us on the 12th. Cheers, Annie J.

All I need is fewer cleaning products. This phrase started my head spinning at our first Women’s Conference on Sustainability. I was dizzy all day long, truth be told. Thought-provoking conversations swirled around me, as engaged women leaned forward in their seats both eager to contribute and eager to listen. As you might imagine, there were stories. Women communicate mightily through stories. Each story seemed to lead to another thread, another link between us. And if I may be so bold to suggest a one-word moniker for the day, it was hope.

Women do multi-tasking. We also worry. We research the right car for the environment, then worry over disposal of its battery. We recycle but we fuss over the gas and emissions needed to get to the recycle center. We sometimes (me) remember to bring our green bags to the grocery store and then worry over the packaging around all of our food. Keen awareness and constant list-making are actually powerful tools. The conference (About) produced fabulous dialogs that drew big red circles around all of our shared traits and suddenly, these traits became tools. Our story-telling is a tool, a way to share information that creates instant communion. Our nurturing - tool. Our intuitiveness - definite tool. And on.

We created this site for bustling activity. Tangible outcomes are most needed so communicate with each other. Set goals. Tell the stories. Talk about how to live, work, raise children, travel, start causes, eat, write or just shake your groove thang sustainably. We’re listening. Intently.  - Shawn