Eleanor Blomstrom, Co-Director and Head of Office at the Women’s Environment & Development Organization spoke on March 26, 2017 at the New York Society for Ethical Culture about “Politics at the Intersection: Women’s Rights and Climate Justice.”

Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO) was founded 25 years ago by former U.S. Congresswoman Bella Abzug, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, and other visionary women leaders. Eleanor Blomstrom will examine the challenges, milestones and current strategies for undertaking advocacy and movement building at the intersection of women’s rights and environment. What are the connections between gender equality, environment, and climate change? How are women’s groups mobilizing in the United States and around the world to demand climate justice?

With a women’s human rights and justice lens, Eleanor focuses on sustainable development, climate change and urbanization, incorporating research, capacity building, and global-level advocacy at multiple UN fora, including the UNFCCC (climate change) and the 2030 sustainable development agenda. Eleanor is co-lead of the Women’s Major Groups for Sustainable Development and for Disaster Risk Reduction, which continues WEDO’s long-standing role of facilitating space for women’s rights advocacy, organizing and action. Working in collaboration with key women’s and civil society allies, this work has impacted the gender equality language outcomes of recent international agreements and will support implementation.

Prior to WEDO, Eleanor worked on climate change projects ranging from green roofs to waste management to adaptation. She also has community development experience in the areas of agriculture and women’s empowerment with organizations in Nicaragua and Nigeria. Her current work is informed by a professional background in bilingual elementary education with a focus on race and gender equity in public schools. Eleanor holds a Master of International Affairs in Urban and Environmental Policy and a Bachelor degree in Environmental Sciences.

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