Over the summer Science for Georgia, Dogwood Alliance, Center for Black Women’s Wellness (CBWW), and Emory’s Center for Children’s Health Assessment, Research Translation, and Combating Environmental Racism (CHARTER) hosted the Environmental Justice & Climate Protection Conference.

Multiple organizations spoke about successful example community coalitions that are working to address environmental health and injustices, but there was not enough time for all the questions, comments, and discussion these brought.

This fireside chat series is to enable a deeper discussion. We aim to foster a conversation that raises awareness, inspires actions, and creates a path towards a healthier and more sustainable future for all. 

Oct 13, 11AM – Georgia WAND (Women’s Actions for New Directions)

Our environment shapes who we are. Our wealth, the quality of our schools, and our overall health and wellbeing are determined by our environment. Past and present environmental injustice negatively impacts all Georgians.

Featured speaker: Andrea Jones

Andrea Young Jones currently holds the position of Government Relations and Public Policy Director for Georgia WAND (Women’s Actions for New Directions). Founded in 1984, Georgia WAND is a women-led organization that historically has sought to educate and advance policy and legislation that brings about lasting and systemic change in frontline communities.

Andrea was born in Chicago, Illinois to Bishop and Mrs. McKinley Young and raised in Southwest Atlanta, Georgia. She is a graduate of Hampton University, and received her Masters of Public Administration from Clark Atlanta University. Andrea has over 15 years experience working in civil rights and anti discrimination public policy and legislation for local and state governments as a civil servant and community advocate. She believes that environmental justice is the new civil rights and is working to shape public policy to address legacy pollution and health disparities in Georgia’s rural communities.