Autumn Peltier, photo courtesy of Think Landscape
1. Autumn Peltier
Who: Indigenous clean water advocate from Canada (Anishinaabe Nation)
When: Born 2004, active since childhood
Where: Canada, advocating globally
Job Title: Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation
Interesting: Started advocating for clean water at age 8; spoke at the UN about Indigenous water rights. She uplifts Indigenous women and youth by amplifying their voices on environmental justice.
Wangarĩ Maathai, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
2. Wangarĩ Maathai
Who: Kenyan environmentalist and activist
When: 1940–2011
Where: Kenya, international impact
Job Title: Founder of the Green Belt Movement, first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize (2004)
Interesting: Empowered thousands of rural Kenyan women by training them to plant trees and fight deforestation, linking environmental conservation to women’s rights and economic independence.
Eradjere Oleita, photo courtesy of SaveArtSpace.
3. Eradjere Oleita
Who: Environmental activist and innovator
When: Active in the 2020s
Where: Detroit, US
Job Title: Founder of The Chip Bag Project
Interesting: Turns discarded chip bags into sleeping bags for unhoused people, teaching young women and marginalized communities about sustainability through hands-on activism.
Greta Thunberg, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
4. Greta Thunberg
Who: Climate activist
When: Born 2003, active since 2018
Where: Sweden, global influence
Job Title: Founder of Fridays for Future
Interesting: Mobilized millions of young people, particularly girls, to protest for climate action; regularly calls out world leaders for inaction.
Joan Carling, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
5. Joan Carling
Who: Indigenous rights and environmental advocate
When: Active for over 20 years
Where: Philippines, international advocacy
Job Title: Co-founder of Indigenous Peoples Rights International
Interesting: Defends Indigenous land defenders, often women, from persecution and violence; her work supports female environmental activists in high-risk areas.
Rachel Carson, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
6. Rachel Carson
Who: Marine biologist and conservationist
When: 1907–1964
Where: US
Job Title: Author of Silent Spring
Interesting: Her book sparked the modern environmental movement and led to the banning of the toxic insecticide DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), influencing generations of women in science and activism.
Isatou Ceesay, photo courtesy of One Plastic Bag
7. Isatou Ceesay
Who: Gambian recycling innovator
When: Born 1972, active since the 1990s
Where: The Gambia
Job Title: Founder of One Plastic Bag
Interesting: Started a movement to upcycle plastic waste, teaching women in her village to turn waste into income-generating products, lifting them out of poverty.
Georgie Badiel, photo courtesy of Georgie Badiel Foundation
8. Georgie Badiel
Who: Former model turned water activist
When: Born 1985, active in sustainability since 2015
Where: Burkina Faso & USA
Job Title: Founder of Georgie Badiel Foundation
Interesting: Builds wells and provides clean water access to women and children in Burkina Faso, empowering young girls by reducing time spent collecting water.
Melati & Isabel Wijsen, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
9. Melati & Isabel Wijsen
Who: Balinese sisters fighting plastic pollution
When: Active since 2013 (as teenagers)
Where: Indonesia
Job Title: Founders of Bye Bye Plastic Bags
Interesting: Helped ban plastic bags in Bali and continue training young girls in environmental activism globally.
Mari Copeny, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
10. Mari Copeny ("Little Miss Flint")
Who: Youth activist for clean water
When: Born 2007, active since age 8
Where: Flint, Michigan, US
Job Title: Water justice advocate
Interesting: Raised awareness of the Flint water crisis and provided clean water to thousands. Uses her platform to encourage young girls, especially girls of color, to fight for justice.
Celeste Tinajero, photo by New Leaders Initiative
11. Celeste Tinajero
Who: Climate and environmental educator
When: Active in the 2020s
Where: Nevada, US
Job Title: Environmental Programs Manager
Interesting: Focuses on community-based education, particularly in Latinx communities, empowering women and girls through sustainability education.
Mabel Ping-Hua Lee, photo from George Grantham Bain collection at the Library of Congress
12. Mabel Ping-Hua Lee
Who: Suffragist and advocate for women’s rights
When: 1896–1966
Where: New York City, US (Chinese-American leader)
Job Title: Women's rights and education advocate
Interesting: Though not directly an environmentalist, she fought for women’s leadership and empowerment, aligning with the theme of uplifting women in advocacy.
Dolores Huerta, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
13. Dolores Huerta
Who: Labor and civil rights activist
When: Born 1930, active for decades
Where: USA
Job Title: Co-founder of the United Farm Workers
Interesting: Advocated for farmworkers' rights, many of whom were women exposed to pesticide hazards, making her an environmental justice leader.
Helena Gualinga, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
14. Helena Gualinga
Who: Indigenous climate activist
When: Born 2002, active since her teens
Where: Ecuador, Amazon rainforest
Job Title: Environmental and Indigenous rights advocate
Interesting: Fights for Indigenous land protection, uplifts Indigenous women by bringing their stories to global climate platforms.
Rigoberta Menchú, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
15. Rigoberta Menchú
Who: Indigenous rights leader and environmental advocate
When: Born 1959, Nobel Peace Prize winner (1992)
Where: Guatemala
Job Title: Human rights and environmental activist
Interesting: Defends Indigenous communities, including women, from environmental destruction linked to deforestation and mining.
Lady Bird Johnson, photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
16. Claudia Alta "Lady Bird" Johnson
Who: First lady of the United States from 1963 to 1969
When: Born 1912
Where: Karnack, Texas, Washington D.C., US
Job Title: known as 'The Environmental First Lady"
Interesting: Was instrumental in promoting over 200 environmental legislative initiatives including the Wilderness Act of 1964, the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the 1965 Highway Beautification Act. She also co-founded the National Wildflower Research Center in 1982, later renamed the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in 1997.