On Thursday, March 6th, Muslim Climate Watch founder and Director Nazish Qureshi was invited by the Elizabeth J. Somers Women Leadership Program at George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C., to speak at their Leadership for a Sustainable Future Symposium. Joined by three other women leaders making waves in climate policy, environmental law and conservation, climate finance, and faith-based climate sustainability, the panel was attended by dozens of female students enrolled in the university’s Women Leadership Program (WLP).
Image provided by Adeline Rawlings
“The Women’s Leadership Program has been a catalyst for my growth as a student at GW,” shared Samaa Afoke, a freshman studying Public Health at GW currently enrolled in the WLP– a year-long program where first-year students live together on GW’s Mount Vernon Campus and benefit from close contact with faculty and women in leadership roles. The program includes a weekly interactive symposium offering the young students the opportunity to explore the development of advancing women in leadership roles across various sectors.
The Leadership for a Sustainable Future Panel included engaging discussions on the professional journey in sustainability of the four women leaders joining the panel, from their freshman college year to their current career point.
When asked about the critical skills needed to become leaders for a sustainable future, despite belonging to diverse backgrounds ranging from environmental economics and law to faith-based climate action, the reflections shared by the panellists underscored the same message: building coalitions across sectors and groups, offering particular care to communities most vulnerable to the climate crisis by listening and amplifying their voices, building relationships and allies for a just and sustainable future, and becoming expert communicators—be it writing effective emails or attentively engaging in 5 am Zoom calls.
Image provided by Adeline Rawlings
“The panels have exposed me to so many incredible female leaders like Nazish and honed my leadership and professional skills. Hearing from panellists across diverse fields like the federal government and university leadership has inspired me to explore a wider range of career opportunities,” emphasized Afoke.
Adeline Rawlings, another freshman student in the International Politics cohort of the program, underscored the weekly symposia’s positive impact on discussing intersectional women’s leadership topics, while also offering an excellent opportunity to network with speakers joining them. “I have gained insightful knowledge tonight about the impact of global politics and policy as well as current strides towards environmental justice,” shared Rawlings.
Women have a vital role in leading sustainability efforts. Whether starting a non-profit for climate justice or offering pro bono legal workshops to grassroots community leaders on the frontlines of climate crises, women across the U.S. and globally are taking charge of initiatives and movements to weave an equitable, inclusive, and just future for all.
“As the primary caretakers of humanity, [women] have an immense influence on a generation’s view of climate and climate issues. Women bring their knowledge and expertise in leadership to climate justice as they influence policy, mobilize grassroots initiatives, and drive transformative change that ensures environmental policies are inclusive and just,” shared Afoke.
