Fall Equinox WEAvings: Honoring Achievements, Climate Leadership, and the Path Ahead

Dear Friends,

With the Fall Equinox just days away, I find myself reflecting on the shifts happening around us—both in nature and in our work. This time of year feels like a powerful moment to pause, offer gratitude for all we’ve accomplished, and prepare for the new phases that lie ahead.

In that spirit, I am so proud to share that Women’s Earth Alliance Co-Founders, Amira Diamond and Melinda Kramer, have been awarded the prestigious 2024 Heinz Award for the Environment. This recognition honors not only their visionary leadership but also the transformative impact Women's Earth Alliance has had around the world. Under their guidance, WEA has empowered the leadership of tens of thousands of women to protect their communities and the environment, while creating lasting, life-affirming change. This award is a testament to the power of women-led movements and the difference we are making for our future.

On a personal note, Amira and Melinda have been my mentors and friends for the past 14 years, helping to nurture my leadership in both my work and life. I’ve witnessed their endless care, compassion, and dedication firsthand, and I know that the impact they’ve had extends far beyond our organization—it touches lives across the world. This award shines a spotlight on their leadership, and on the countless women who have grown their own leadership through WEA.

As we celebrate this recognition, we are also looking ahead to Climate Week NYC, which kicks off this weekend. Climate Week NYC is the largest annual climate event of its kind, bringing together voices from across the world to push for bold solutions. Our team will be on the ground in New York City, joining other changemakers committed to advancing women-led climate solutions. These moments remind us of the immense potential for transformation that exists when our collective voices rise.

In closing, I wanted to offer a poem WEA’s North America/Pacific Program Director, Daniela Perez, shared during our team meeting earlier this week which deeply resonated with me. Wayfinding in the Edges by Lena Jelenjev speaks to the hope and possibility in front of us. One passage, in particular, captures the essence of this moment:

 

The infinite hope moving us forward
To new systems, new ways of being
From a space of regeneration
From a space of restoration
For the way for us to find ourselves
in these trenches,
is to start the process of healing
And our wayfinding is through our hearts
Mending the past, and the present
Answering the call for the future
And leading us gently back to each other

 

These words feel especially poignant this week as we stand at the intersection of recognition and action. As we gather for Climate Week, the call for women’s leadership in the climate movement has never been louder, nor has the need for healing and restoration ever been more urgent. Together, we are answering this call and stepping forward with infinite hope—into a future where regeneration, community, and belonging guide us back to each other and to the planet we are working to protect.

With deep gratitude and solidarity,

Kahea Pacheco
Co-Executive Director, Women’s Earth Alliance