Women have always been the backbone of the Environmental Justice and Civil Rights Movements. They are the organizers, strategists, caregivers, storytellers, and defenders of land and community whose labor sustains movements long before and long after moments of public recognition. Yet despite their central role, the contributions of these women, particularly movement elders and those working at the intersections of race, gender, and place, have too often gone under-documented, under-resourced, and under-celebrated.

At a moment of active attempts to erase and distort movement history, the need to preserve and amplify the leadership of these central organizers, leaders, and icons is urgent. The Mothers of the Movement Collection responds by centering their voices, their joy, and their calls to action as foundational to understanding where the movement has been and where it must go.

Note: This collection only represents a small portion of the numerous women who have built the foundations upon which this movement stands. We want to express gratitude to those who shared their time with us as we attempt to bring light to all those amazing individuals leading movement work.