Wawa Gatheru: Difference between revisions - Wikipedia
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{{Short description|American climate activist}}
----{{Infobox person
| name = WawaWanjiku Gatheru
| birth_date other_names = {{Birth date and age|1998|11|06}}Wawa
| occupation = Climate justice activist
| organization = [[Black Girl Environmentalist]]
| education = {{plainlist|
*[[University of Connecticut]] (BA)
*[[University of Oxford]] (MS)
}}
| known_for =
| honours =
| website = {{URL|https://blackgirlenvironmentalist.org/}}
}}
'''Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru''' is an American climate justice activist. She is a beneficiary of the [[Rhodes Scholarship]].<ref name="CleverCloggs"/>
'''Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru''' (born 6 November 1998) is an American climate justice activist.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-09-21 |title=Sen. Schatz, Patagonia CEO and young activists on climate change |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/washington-post-live/2022/09/20/sen-schatz-patagonia-ceo-young-activists-climate-change/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=[[Washington Post]]|language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> She founded the [[#Black Girl Environmentalist|Black Girl Environmentalist]].
== Early life ==
Gatheru was born to Kenyan immigrants and raised in the rural area of [[Pomfret, Connecticut]],<ref name="CleverCloggs">{{Cite web |last=Reitz |first=Stephanie |date=2019-11-24 |title=Student Leader Wanjiku (Wawa) Gatheru Named UConn's First Rhodes Scholar |url=https://today.uconn.edu/2019/11/student-leader-wanjiku-wawa-gatheru-named-uconns-first-rhodes-scholar/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=UConn Today |language=en-US}}</ref> where she spent a lot of time outdoors gardening with her mother and grandmother.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Black Earth Podcast {{!}} Transcript: Becoming Black Girl Environmentalists with Wanjiku Gatheru |url=https://share.transistor.fm/s/9d02bcfd |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Black Earth Podcast |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru |url=https://www.wgbh.org/people/wanjiku-wawa-gatheru |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=GBH |language=en}}</ref> She became interested in climate activism at 15 and took classes in environmental science.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A Conversation with Black Girl Environmentalist Founder Wawa Gatheru |url=https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/magazine/entry/a-conversation-with-black-girl-environmentalist-founder-wawa-gatheru/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Earth Island Journal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-04-21 |title=How this 22-year-old is creating an anti-racist climate movement: 'We're trying to create a new future' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/black-environmentalist-creating-anti-racist-climate-movement-214113532.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Yahoo Life |language=en-US}}</ref>
Gatheru attended the [[University of Connecticut]]. She received the [[Rhodes Scholarship|Rhodes]], [[Harry S. Truman Scholarship|Harry S. Truman]], Rhodes, and [[Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation]]{{`}}s scholarship in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hirsh |first=Sophie |date=2021-11-23 |title=Why Community Is Key in Climate Justice Activism, According to Wawa Gatheru (Exclusive) |url=https://www.greenmatters.com/p/climate-justice-activism-wawa-gatheru |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Green Matters |language=en-US}}</ref> She graduated [[Latin honors|''magna cum laude'']] in 2020 with a BA in [[Environmental studies]] and a minor in Urban and Community Studies.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wawa Gatheru: Keynote speaker for 2022 MLKjr Day festivities |url=https://diversity.williams.edu/davis-center/davis-center-news/wawagatheru/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=The Davis Center |language=en-US}}</ref> She earned her Master's from the [[University of Oxford]] in nature, society and environmental governance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-30 |title=NationalHeard Parkson ConservationCampus: AssociationClimate activist Wanjiku Gatheru at Penn State Behrend |url=https://wwwbehrend.npcapsu.orgedu/peoplestory/wawa73796/2023/03/30/heard-campus-climate-activist-wanjiku-gatheru-penn-state-behrend |access-date=2024-0209-2214 |website=National[[Pennsylvania ParksState Conservation AssociationUniversity]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Black Girl Environmentalist ==
Gatheru founded Black Girl Environmentalist (BGE) in 2021,<ref>{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://blackgirlenvironmentalist.org/about |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Black Girl Environmentalist |language=en-US}}</ref> during a period when climate change in Kenya and heat waves in American affects the black communities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Team |first=Y. C. C. |date=2023-12-22 |title=Black Girl Environmentalist is highlighting the contributions of Black women in the climate movement » Yale Climate Connections |url=http://yaleclimateconnections.org/2023/12/black-girl-environmentalist-is-highlighting-the-contributions-of-black-women-in-the-climate-movement/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Yale Climate Connections |language=en-US}}</ref>
The idea for the organization started with her article written for ''[[Vice Media|Vice]]'' on her experience as a Black environmental student.<ref>{{Cite web |last=staff |first=Fix |date=2021-06-07 |title=These environmental justice leaders are creating the spaces they wish they'd had |url=https://grist.org/fix/justice/these-ej-leaders-are-creating-spaces-environmental-activism-education/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Fix |language=en-us}}</ref> BGE started as a community on Instagram,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nast |first=Condé |date=2023-04-21 |title=Black Girls Deserve a Spot at the Environmental Decision-Making Table |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/black-girl-environmentalist-earth-day-interview |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Teen Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> and has been considered by ''[[Forbes]]'', as "one of the largest Black youth-led organizations in the country."<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wawa Gatheru |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/wawa-gatheru/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
== Activism ==
Gatheru sought to advocate for Black women and non-binary people through writing and public speaking.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatheru |first=Wawa |date=2024-04-22 |title=Activist Wawa Gatheru on Championing Black Women as Climate Leaders This Earth Day—And Beyond |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/wawa-gatheru-earth-day-essay |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rich |first=Heileman|date=2023-02-10 |title=Gatheru to speak about environmental justice: Around The Town |url=https://www.cleveland.com/berea/2023/02/wajiku-wawa-gatheru-to-talk-on-environmental-justice-at-bw-around-the-town.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=cleveland |language=en}}</ref>
{{blockquote|
quote=The climate space is notoriously white and Black youth are quite literally at the sidelines. [BGE] programming works to empower the next generation of climate leaders of color through community empowerment, green workforce development, and narrative change – all created by the very demographic we seek to serve.|source=<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-01-26 |title=Meet Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru, The Founder Of Black Girl Environmentalist |url=https://www.essence.com/news/wawa-gatheru-black-girl-environmentalist/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Essence |language=en-US}}</ref>}}
Gatheru sought to advocate for Black women and non-binary people through writing and public speaking.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gatheru |first=Wawa |date=2024-04-22 |title=Activist Wawa Gatheru on Championing Black Women as Climate Leaders This Earth Day—And Beyond |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/wawa-gatheru-earth-day-essay |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rich |first=Heileman|date=2023-02-10 |title=Gatheru to speak about environmental justice: Around The Town |url=https://www.cleveland.com/berea/2023/02/wajiku-wawa-gatheru-to-talk-on-environmental-justice-at-bw-around-the-town.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=cleveland |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate activist Wawa Gatheru: Fight for an age of “unprecedented care” {{!}} Bryant News |url=https://news.bryant.edu/climate-activist-wawa-gatheru-fight-age-unprecedented-care |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=news.bryant.edu |language=en}}</ref>, like Penn State<ref>{{Cite web |title=Heard on Campus: Climate activist Wanjiku Gatheru at Penn State Behrend {{!}} Penn State University |url=https://www.psu.edu/news/behrend/story/heard-campus-climate-activist-wanjiku-gatheru-penn-state-behrend/ |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=www.psu.edu |language=en}}</ref> and Yale, plus prominent news organizations, like [[NPR]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wawa Gatheru on the Campbell Conversations |url=https://www.wrvo.org/podcast/campbell-conversations/2024-07-13/wawa-gatheru-on-the-campbell-conversations |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=WRVO Public Media |language=en}}</ref> and [[WNYC]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Work of Black Girl Environmentalist {{!}} The Takeaway |url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/black-girl-environmentalism |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=WNYC Studios |language=en}}</ref>
In 2022, she hosted the black [[Ecofeminism|eco-feminist]] summit, which was featured in the ''[[British Vogue]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Attlee |first=Joycelyn Longdon |date=2022-10-03 |title=Inside The UK’sUK's First Black Ecofeminist Summit |url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/black-ecofeminist-summit |access-date=2024-07-19 |website=British Vogue |language=en-GB}}</ref> She was the board chair at the [[Environmental Media Association]] and member of the Earthjustice Council.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Climate activist Wawa Gatheru: Fight for an age of "unprecedented care" {{!}} Bryant News |url=https://news.bryant.edu/climate-activist-wawa-gatheru-fight-age-unprecedented-care |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=news.bryant.edu |language=en}}</ref>
Gatheru is a Narrative Fellow at the All We Can Save Project,<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Parks Conservation Association |url=https://www.npca.org/people/wawa-gatheru |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=National Parks Conservation Association |language=en}}</ref> Revolutionary Power Fellow at the [[United States Department of Energy]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-09-02 |title=Catching up with the "Revolutionary Power Fellows" |url=https://newiee.org/catching-up-with-the-revolutionary-power-fellows/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=NEWIEE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=All welcome to hear SIU Green Fund winner announcement, environmental justice speaker |url=https://news.siu.edu/2023/04/041323-All-welcome-to-hear-SIU-Green-Fund-winner-announcement,-environmental-justice-speaker.php |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=SIU News}}</ref>
== Achievements ==
Gatheru was recognized as a Young Futurist by The Root in 2020, a [[Grist (magazine)|Grist]] 50 FIXER, and ''[[Glamour (magazine)|Glamour]]'' College Woman of the Year.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-29 |title=Wanjiku "Wawa" Gatheru - Environmental Justice Advocate & Writer |url=https://conveningleaders.org/gatheru-wanjiku/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=PCMA Convening Leaders |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2021, she was [[Victoria's Secret]] PINK Purpose Project Winner.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Making Climate Work More Intentional and Creative: A Conversation with Wawa Gatheru |url=https://www.green4ema.org/impact-network-blog/2022/02/28/making-climate-work-more-intentional-and-creative-a-conversation-with-wawa-gatheru |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Environmental Media Association |language=en-US}}</ref>
In January 2023, she appeared on the cover of ''Vogue'' alongalongside [[Billie Eilish]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nast |first=Condé |date=2023-01-04 |title=Billie Eilish on Climate Activism and Radical Hope |url=https://www.vogue.com/article/billie-eilish-climate-activism-january-cover-2022-video |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Vogue |language=en-US}}</ref> In March 2023, she was named one of five [[Tom's of Maine]] Incubator winners.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dorisca |first=Samantha |date=March 3, 2023 |title=Gen Z Environmental Changemakers Aliyah Collins, Wawa Gatheru Win $20K For Their Efforts To Better The World |url=https://afrotech.com/environmental-changemakers-aliyah-collins-wawa-gatheru-win-20k/ |website=Afrotech.com}}</ref>I She was also named Climate Creator to Watch by Pique Action and the [[Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lundstrom |first=Kathryn |date=2023-01-31 |title=These 17 Creators Are Leading the Conversation on Climate |url=https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/were-more-than-just-a-commercial-these-17-creators-are-leading-the-conversation-on-climate/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.adweek.com |language=en-US}}</ref> became a member of the first-ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council at the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency|U.S. Environmental Protection Agency]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OA |date=2023-11-16 |title=EPA Administrator Regan Announces Members of First-Ever National Environmental Youth Advisory Council |url=https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-administrator-regan-announces-members-first-ever-national-environmental-youth |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref> and won a Trailblazer Award at theVerdical Group's annual [[Net Zero Conference]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=hello@verdicalgroup.com |date=2023-09-08 |title=Meet 2023 Trailblazer Awards Gala Keynote, Wawa Gatheru! |url=https://netzeroconference.com/meet-2023-trailblazer-awards-gala-keynote-wawa-gatheru/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Net Zero Conference |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 2024, Gatheru was named in [[Forbes 30 Under 30]] List under Social Impact.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wawa Gatheru |url=https://www.forbes.com/profile/wawa-gatheru/ |access-date=2024-02-22 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>
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== References ==
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Rhodes Scholars]]
[[Category:Climate activists]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Living people]]