Calling All Changemakers: Deepen the Meaning and Impact of Your Work in 2022
By Dr. Liza K. Williams
Dear friends and changemakers,
I believe that our planet — in all her complexity and beauty — is a mirror that reflects the myriad ways we relate to one another as people.
We care for some areas of our earth with sacredness and respect, yet we also extract far too much from our beautiful planet, leaving once thriving lands and waters desolate. As we relate to the earth, we relate to one another. In many ways, we love, protect, and strengthen our families and communities. But we are also part of systems of oppression that keep certain people from realizing their potential.
Deep in our wisest selves, we know that people and the planet are inextricably linked. The health of our planet relies on our commitment to respect all forms of life — human and nature alike. In the same breath, the health of our communities relies on our commitment to respect all life — not just the lives of those most similar to us.
As the climate crisis increases, we are also seeing a marked increase in inequity and injustice. At Planet Women, we believe that this is not a coincidence. The same systems of oppression are at the root of both social inequity and the climate crisis. Research shows that climate change disproportionately impacts women and girls, as well as communities of color, people facing poverty, and nations in the Global South. So, the question arises, what can we do to help solve these complex and intersectional issues?
At Planet Women, we are committed to addressing the issues that meet at the intersection of people and planet. One of our solutions? The Regenerative Leadership Project.
The Regenerative Leadership Project is a transformational learning journey created specifically for those who are called to deepen the meaning and impact of their environmental work by becoming a catalyst for social change.
- The three-month-long curriculum is informed by systems thinking and illuminates the ways that oppression, sexism and colonization impact our world.
- Participants will dig into their own roots, wisdom and personal stories to discover their unique tools and talents for creating a healthy planet and equitable future.
- Planet Women will facilitate 6 virtual meetings and (when it’s safe) in-person meetings for group work and interconnection. We also provide tools and resources for self-reflection in between meetings.
- Participants will work with a small group of ~10 peers from across the environmental movement, representing a diversity of experience levels, career paths, genders, ages and backgrounds.
Why do we need Regenerative Leaders?
Planet Women was officially established in July 2020. Merely weeks after the murder of George Floyd on May 25, 2020 — a heartbreaking crime that sparked the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement and racial justice protests in the United States. In designing and growing our organization, our co-founders and staff spoke with many people from across the conservation sector — representing NGOs, philanthropic foundations and public agencies — and we heard a common theme. People want to show up to their work and lives with more of a commitment to address social justice. They shared that something was “missing” in their organizations, teams and projects when it comes to justice, diversity, equity and inclusion. They sensed that what is missing is a way to align their environmental impact with an impact for social change. While many organizations have taken steps to create more equitable cultures, we have heard from leaders, especially women, that they long for more to be done.
We have heard time and again that the sector needs to be more diverse and equitable for women and people of color in order to more effectively meet the challenges of our present moment.
However, many of us are not trained in the most effective ways to connect conservation with social change, or to identify the social issues that limit our ability to be effective conservationists.
In the spring of 2021, I joined Planet Women as the Director of Cultural Transformation. I was honored to be invited to create solutions for those leaders who were longing to deepen the impact of their environmental work with social change.
The Regenerative Leadership Project is one solution to connecting conservation with social change. As I crafted the learning journey over the last few months, I have been inspired by stories of dedicated leaders — many of whom are women, and many of whom are colleagues at Planet Women — who are voicing the need for more of us to take on social justice issues in the conservation sector.
This desire to deepen the impact of conservation through social justice has arisen, in part, because of the global pandemic and the economic challenges that Covid-19 has presented. These economic challenges have disproportionately affected women, people of color and already vulnerable communities. The stress of the pandemic only exacerbated already charged issues such as racism, sexism and injustice — furthering feelings of disconnection and uncertainty.
Despite these unprecedented times, we have witnessed those who have risen to meet these difficulties with ingenuity and grace. It takes courage to embody a fierce dedication to create systems of positive change, especially during times of uncertainty. But it is in the dark of uncertainty, where new visions for the future are born.
As an indigenous woman, a mom, and a concerned citizen of our planet, the combined crises of climate change and the pandemic have made me acutely aware of the urgency at which we need to create systems of care. We need systems that honor all of life, systems that honor the diversity of what makes us human, and systems that honor our planet so that it can thrive to support our future generations. It is this urgency that called me to my work at Planet Women and that inspired the creative journey that is the Regenerative Leadership Project.
What do you envision for 2022?
As 2021 draws to a close, it is time to reflect on what we have accomplished and on what vision we want to create for next year. It is also a time to connect with family and friends, and to reflect on what matters most. I am eager to complete the year with the intention of showing up more fully to my personal and professional commitment to advocate for social justice in the coming year. This desire is coupled with a longing to create a community of individuals that are just as committed to advancing social justice along with protecting the planet. That is my vision for 2022.
I cannot think of a more powerful way to show up for these issues than by committing to a personal journey of self-awareness and knowledge that prepares us to do the hard work of advocating for equity and the environment.
However, a personal journey of self-awareness is not something that needs to be done in solitude. In my experience, the most transformative personal journeys are done in community. In community, we share ideas, support one another, and find camaraderie in doing the work together with compassion and safety.
The Regenerative Leadership Project is meant to bring a deeper awareness of how colonialism, marginalization and oppression shape our work as environmentalists. As Regenerative Leaders, we will gather in compassionate community to address the intersectional issues of people and planet.
In the safe space of our community, we will explore ways that we can lead with a deeper commitment to justice, equity, inclusiveness and diversity. To do this, we take the time to explore how our personal stories, our values and our deepest talents direct us to bring positive change to our work and lives. The Regenerative Leadership Project is meant to take us on a journey of self-exploration to clarify our commitment to social change in our work.
Over the next few weeks, we will be releasing more information about the Regenerative Leadership Project, on our blog and on our social channels. We will hold an informative launch event on January 20th, so you can learn more about the program. Stay tuned for updates and details!
If the Regenerative Leadership Project calls to your curiosity or speaks to your desire for positive change, please subscribe to our email list and follow this Medium account to receive the latest news about this transformative program.
What do you envision for 2022? Are you called to make a deeper impact and align with your values? Are you inspired to create the equitable world we long to see for future generations?
Join me on this journey. Let’s create this vision together.
In solidarity,
Liza K. Williams, PhD
Dr. Liza Keānuenueokalani Williams is Planet Women’s Director of Cultural Transformation. She leads Planet Women’s efforts in anti-oppression and antiracism so that we can transform the way we work and live to heal ourselves and heal the planet. She is an indigenous Hawaiian writer, scholar, activist, healer and solopreneur. Read her full bio here.
