My background in sustainability began at an early age with a Hungarian born mother and a father who works with indigenous elders around the world. All of my work has thus been imbued with a sense of global interconnection and I have long been inspired to create positive change by bringing together people who would not otherwise meet. I believe in following one’s dreams and have faith in our collective creativity and ingenuity.
As a single mom, many would say I was crazy to start a non-profit organization, but it felt like I had no other option. I went on my first Native American based Vision Quest at the age of thirteen and quickly learned that once one receives a vision, it is pretty darn bad not to step up. So when I had the idea for the EcoMom Alliance several months after co-producing an event for the United Nations World Environment Day in June of 2006 what else could I do but forge ahead? After facing a medley of fears – Could I do it? How would I pay my bills in the process? Who was I to believe I could make something like this happen? - I sent out a little e-letter to family and friends sharing my idea and based on an overwhelmingly positive response, officially launched in December of that same year. I still work out of my little home office (what was once the laundry room, before I started line drying out on the deck) but this little vision has now become a worldwide movement with EcoMom Leaders in communities from Mumbai to Minneapolis.
I still have many fears and feel a sense of awe and wonder every day as the EcoMom Alliance evolves. Yes, this is about the climate crisis and it is about creating a sustainable future, and yes, of course I want to help save the polar bears and reduce our exposure to toxic chemicals but above all, I want my son, and all of our children, to grow up with a sense of connection to one another and to have access to the life changing lessons that nature has provided humanity since the beginning of time.
By coming together in this way, we not only make our own days more purpose-driven and joyful, we help to create a legacy of which we can be proud. I dream of one day sharing this story- the story of a time in history that demanded we step up and we did – with my grandchildren. I hope you will share this dream so that you may one day proudly tell your grandchildren about what we did together.
With hope and love,
Kimberly
