Vision ♦ Mission ♦ Core Values ♦ History ♦ Newsletters
♦ Executive Board ♦ About Our Logo ♦ Feedback ♦

Vision

A community of women inspiring each other to create a healthy environment and an equitable society.

Mission

EcoWomen is a social community of women who care about the environment. We foster networking, collaboration, and career-building opportunities at every professional level.

Core Values

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History of EcoWomen

DC EcoHour began as a monthly meeting of Washington, D.C.-area women environmental advocates. Each month, approximately 50 women from a cross-section of environmental fields attend the event at Teaism. The participants range in professional experience from recent graduates to executive directors.

In addition to providing networking time, we also have a featured speaker who serves as a role model for women. Women have played key roles in environmental protections. Yet, given the lack of attention paid to the environmental movement in traditional high school and college curricula, many are unaware of the pioneers of the movement. Introducing event participants to these pioneers motivates and encourages women to pursue their often-difficult environmental work.

Whether new to the field or reaching the peak of their careers, women who work on environmental issues will benefit from greater opportunities to network. Personal relationships amongst women lead to significant professional synergies that would not be otherwise accomplished. Creating a social setting where lobbyists get to know lawmakers, where advocates meet government policy makers, where researchers meet scientists, and so on, increases professional successes and accomplishments. The potential environmental payoff of a strengthened network of environmental advocates is priceless.

Washington, DC is a very transient town. Yet, it is also a town with a significant number of opportunities for those who are interested and care about environmental issues. DC EcoHour was born with the intention of trying to create a space for those who are new to Washington, DC, by providing the opportunity to connect with others who also care about environmental issues. The goal was to try and create a space where women at every professional level could connect to other women who are also interested in environmental issues.

The founders of DC EcoHour had each been to many conferences, and always found the time between sessions most fulfilling. This was the time when the bridge between the personal and professional was built and/or strengthened. It was often through that deeper relationship with a colleague a much more meaningful professional relationship was created. Thus, DC EcoHour was born to try and create that space in one’s own community on an ongoing basis.

The kickoff for DC EcoHour was in April 2004, with Alisa Gravitz, the Executive Director of Co-op America as the speaker.

To ensure the network is sustainable in the long-term, we have a very dedicated group of women who volunteer to keep the program running.

By its 3rd year, DC EcoHour has had approximately 30 speakers, 800 women on our list-serve, and over 500 women attend at least one of our events. In addition to the speaker evenings, we also have hosted fun outdoor outings, co-ed fundraisers, and have participated in an Alternative Gift Fair around the holidays. In the future, we hope to expand our program offerings to include professional workshops, volunteer activities, and increased outdoor fun activities.
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Newsletters

EcoWomen publish biannual newsletters. Check out our latest publications to learn what we have been up to.

April 2007
December 2007

To view PDF documents, you will need the Adobe Reader. Click on the button to download it for free.

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Executive Board Members

About Our Logo

The apple is a wholesome symbol of ecology, and an unexpected icon compared with globes, recycling symbols and trees.

Along with the atypical choice of imagery, the apple is colored not red, but green, as we aim to frame our thoughts and actions using an environmental lens.

The image of the apple embodies a wide range of environmental concepts, including growth, agriculture, and the reference to Eden. While Eve is sometimes accused for trading self-awareness for paradise, we use this awareness to focus our attention on environmental issues.

The tone of the logo is bold, professional and with a good sense of humor, to match our personalities and our approach to making positive environmental change happen.

The logo was designed by Fran Ornstein, an art director with over 25 years of experience. Ms. Ornstein is currently an independent designer and communications specialist. Her many projects include What’s’sname, playful hand-drawn baby names, and custom calligraphy. She currently lives in Nova Scotia with her husband, where together they built their house out of piles of recycled materials. They have two wonderful children. EcoWomen warmly thanks Ms. Ornstein for designing our beautiful logo.

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The feedback we are receiving confirms the need for our network:

I think you are doing something very important that can be a real force, a real generous way to link women to the environment, to power.
- Judith Helfand, Blue Vinyl Co-director/Co-producer

So glad this exists- can't believe something like EcoWomen wasn't started earlier!
- Participant

It was a pleasure to attend your event- your network is much needed here in DC.
- Alisa Gravitz, Co-op America Executive Director

These happy hours bring women of all ages together who care about the environment and are working to protect it.
- Green Media Toolshed Blog

We welcome you to join us.
Please see Events for information about upcoming EcoHours.
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