Voices for a Greener Tomorrow: Celebrating International Women's Day 2024
On International Women's Day, we're centring the voices of women in the vital realms of organics and sustainability. Despite often being overshadowed by male counterparts in leadership roles, women play a pivotal role in driving positive change. Through their wisdom, passion, and dedication, they contribute immensely to the advancement of eco-friendly practices.
In this post, we're spotlighting inspiring quotes from women leaders and advocates in the field, showcasing their invaluable perspectives and insights. Let's celebrate these trailblazers, empowering their voices and acknowledging their essential role in shaping a more sustainable future for our planet.
1. Dr Jessica Hutchings (Ngāi Tahu, Ngāti Huirapa, Gujarati), Māori researcher and author
“Soils are the silent ally in our food systems, a crucial part in living economies. They provide an anchor point for our identity and place.” – Te Mahi Oneone Hua Parakore
2. Emily King, Food Systems Expert & Director of Spira, Author
“If we created our food system with a noble goal like feeding people healthy affordable food that’s made and grown well, we would shift the system.” - Refood
3. Dr. Jane Goodall, Ethologist, Advocate, Author
“Someday, we shall look back on this dark era of agriculture and shake our heads. How could we have ever believed that it was a good idea to grow our food with poisons.”
4. Tiffany Tompkins, OANZ CEO
“Growing organic kai will help feed our nation, address broken distribution systems, increase economic vitality across the organic ecosystem, and allow our local environment and biodiversity to thrive”
5. Karen Mapusua, IFOAM Organics International Director
“Food security, protecting our environment and reefs – they’re the things that are really the heart and soul of the organic movement in the Pacific region”
6. Rachel Carson, Marine biologist, Writer, and Conservationist
”Man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself.” - Silent Spring
7. Vandana Shiva, Environmentalist, Food Sovereignty Advocate, and Author.
“Organic farming is not just about producing food without chemicals. It is about nurturing the soil, the ecosystem, and the life that we depend on.”
8. Nicole Masters, Agroecologist, Systems thinker, Author, and Educator.
“Soil is the most important ecosystem, linked to every function of the planet.” – For the love of Soil
9. Maria Rodale, Organic Advocate, Author, Former CEO of Rodale, Inc.
“We must make organic the conventional choice and not the exception available only to the rich and educated.” – Organic Manifesto: How Organic Farming Can Heal Our Planet, Feed the World and Keep Us Safe.
10. Anne Gibson, The Micro Gardener
“If we expect to buy perfect-looking produce in a one-stop-shop supermarket, every day of the year, we are supporting the major retailers who just want to make money. Choosing local, seasonal, chemical-free, and homegrown food supports our health, local communities, and farmers.”
As International Women's Day concludes, let's carry forward the spirit of appreciation for the invaluable contributions of women every day. Whatever the field, their dedication and resilience shape our world. Let's honor and support them in their endeavors, fostering equality and empowerment.