by Betty Spencer Dickey
Western Jurisdiction UMW Climate Guide

It may be hard to imagine that before 1970, a factory could spew black clouds of toxic smoke into the air or dump tons of toxic waste into a nearby stream, and that was perfectly legal. They could not be taken to court to stop it. How was that possible? Because there was no EPA, no Clean Air Act, no Clean Water Act. There were no legal or regulatory mechanisms to protect our environment. Rivers and lakes caught fire they were so polluted!

It’s hard for me to believe it has been 50 years since the first Earth Day was held. It was April 22, 1970 and it marked the beginning of the environmental movement. There was a grassroots environmental movement going on and it was hoped that this event would increase ecological awareness.

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Reminder: The application deadline is November 15, 2019. 

The Office of Racial Justice invites United Methodist Women members and groups to apply for funding to help support local organizing campaigns to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. United Methodist Women members are eligible to apply for work happening at any level of the organization, including circle, unit, district, conference and jurisdiction. United Methodist Women may also apply for funding to support work that is happening collaboratively, in coalition/partnership with other local organizations or groups, so long as such work involves substantial participation from local United Methodist Women. See below for details.

Goal of Funding Support
Advance United Methodist Women’s efforts to organize to interrupt the school-to-prison pipeline by providing small-scale funding support to enable deepening of existing campaigns and/or development of new campaigns. Continue reading →

#MeToo has made us aware of sexual harassment in workplaces but harassment against low-wage women workers, including farm worker women, has not been highlighted. Now, farm worker women are silent no longer!  Advocate for the BE HEARD bill in Congress and send letters to your legislators  aclu.org/blog/womens-rights/womens-rights-workplace/be-heard-act-will-overhaul-workplace-harassment-laws

Read more to discover how you can help amplify their voices.

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