Words from Maya Lin, Sigourney Weaver and The Women of the Gulf

Back from New York after attending the National Audubon Society’s  Women in Conservation 8th Annual Rachel Carson Awards event where Sigourney Weaver and Maya Lin were honored for their environmental efforts.

In addition, 50 Women of the Gulf were recognized for their individual time and work spent on the oil spill relief and recovery efforts along the Gulf region.   Master of Ceremonies of the event and Chief Environmental Correspondent for NBC News,  Anne Thompson was one of the 50 recognized for her extensive reporting during the oil spill which made her the NBC News Correspondent with the most airtime in 2010.  Women of the Gulf honorees wore a pink ribbon and as I spoke to several, the general sentiment was the same – though the well has been capped, the work to restore is still just beginning so this recognition is especially meaningful.

I had the pleasure of sitting with Audubon’s Senior Publicist, Delta Willis and the Senior Editor of Audubon Magazine, Julie Leibach, as well as several women from The Nature Conservancy with one of their own being honored as a Woman of the Gulf.  In particular was Judy Hayner, Marine Program Director out of Mobile, Alabama who helped conceptualize and initiate the “100 – 1000: Restore Coastal Alabama” project to build 100 miles of oyster reefs and enhance 1000 coastal marsh and seagrass.

Aside from a locally grown and organic lunch in the beautiful and historic Plaza Hotel ballroom, it was what was said during the event that was inspirational and moving.

Maya Lin

I knew at an early age, I would do whatever I could to help save the planet.

Sigourney Weaver

I often ask myself, what would Rachel Carson do?  More.

Empowering women to make decisions can help heal environmental problems.

And with that a standing ovation! So let’s get to it, and hope to be back in attendance next year!

For more articles and photos, visit the Women In Conservation Facebook page.

 

 

Tagged as: National Audubon Society Women in Conservation 8th Annual Rachel Carson Awards, Women of the Gulf