EarthAction: Who are we?

Feel free to contact us at contact@earthaction.org, or write us at
EarthAction
30 Cottage Street
Amherst, MA 01002
Telephone: (413) 549-8118
Fax: (413) 549-0544

Five different people post on the EarthAction blog...

Lois Jewel Barber is Co-creator and Executive Director of EarthAction, which is celebrating its 16^th Anniversary. In 1986, she founded, and continues to serve as the President Emerita, of 2020 Vision, a US peace and environment organization based in Washington, DC. She served as Creative Director of the World Future Council Initiative that laid the foundation for the creation of the World Future Council, a global forum to protect the rights of future generations. Lois received a BA degree from Indiana University and an MA degree from the University of British Columbia. She lectures widely and has received many awards including the “Giraffe Award” for “Sticking One’s Neck Out for the Common Good”, the “Woman of Distinction Award” from the National Women’s Education Association, and was one of 16 global citizens featured in the book, Planet Champions—Adventures in Saving the World. Lois is also an artist, using her talents to celebrate the wonder and beauty of the natural world. Kosmos published a piece, written by Lois, all about her life. You can read it here.

Rebekah Olstad, better known as Becca, is in her second year at Hampshire College in Amherst, MA. She's from the Boulder, CO area and loves the Rocky mountains. She's designing her major to focus on nature studies, writing, experiential education, and women in the outdoors. She's committed to environmental work and protecting our wildlands. She works for EarthAction as an intern/assistant. Becca will be studying abroad in Cuba in the Spring, and will continue to contribute to EarthAction's blog.

Meghan Maloney is a second year student at Hampshire College, where she hopes to concentrate in human rights, international development, and environmental justice. Meghan studied in Costa Rica during her junior year of high school. While there she developed her love for Central America and working with social justice issues. Since then she has spent time in El Salvador working with NGO's on human rights and environmental issues. While at Hampshire College, she would like to study abroad and spend her summers doing work in developing countries. After graduating from college, Meghan hopes to live in Central America and work in human rights.
Her bio in Spanish: Meghan Maloney está en su primer año en Hampshire College, donde quiere concentrarse en los derechos humanos, el desarrollo internacional, y la justicia medio ambiental. Meghan estudió en Costa Rica durante su tercer año de la escuela secundaria. Mientras que estaba allí ella desarrollo su pasión por América Central y el trabajo de la justicia social. Desde entonces ha pasado tiempo en El Salvador trabajando con ONG's en los derechos humanos y el medio ambiente. Mientras que está en Hampshire College quiere estudiar afuera del país y pasar sus veranos trabajando en paises en desarrollo. Después de graduarse, Meghan espera vivir en América Central y trabajar con los derechos humanos.

Ananda Valenzuela is a second year student at Hampshire College, where she studies social entrepreneurship and organizational theory. Born in Boulder, Colorado, Ananda spent her formative years in San Juan, Puerto Rico, until she moved to Golden, Colorado for high school, where she stayed, other than a year-long sting as an exchange student in Nagano, Japan. Ananda devotes her time to improving the Hampshire educational system, strengthening student governance, encouraging the use of open source technology, studying business concepts and organizational structures, and EarthAction, where she fills the role of webmaster and technology consultant.

Susan Pickering, better known as Sue, is in her first year at Hampshire College. She is from Sudbury, MA, and has had the opportunity to travel to Spain, England, Scotland, and Germany. As of now, she plans to pursue her interests in environmental studies and agriculture, as well as philosophy, education, and international relations. In her spare time, she greatly enjoys the outdoors, and frequently hikes. She is committed to protecting the environment, and working towards a more sustainable future.