350 - Amplifying Latino Voices in Environmental Justice with Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker
350 - Amplifying Latino Voices in Environmental Justice with Isabel Gonzalez Whitaker
Listeners, we are back this week with Isabel Gonzales Whitaker
In this episode, Pam sits down with the incredible Isabel González Whitaker, the director of Eco Madres. Tune in as Isabel shares her inspiring journey, from her family's Cuban roots to her work advocating for environmental justice and supporting communities. Join us to explore the importance of representation, environmental activism, and the resilience of communities in the face of environmental injustice.
Isabel González Whitaker is the Associate Vice President for Public Engagement for Moms Clean Air Force and Director of EcoMadres. Isabel was the Chief Operating Officer of All in Together, a leading nonprofit dedicated to advancing women’s leadership through civic participation. Previously she was Principal Advisor, Executive Strategic Communications, for ALSAC, the $2B+ annual fundraising and awareness organization for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital headquartered in Memphis. Isabel was also the Deputy Editor of Billboard and a Features Editor at InStyle, and wrote for Time, the New York Times, the Hollywood Reporter, the Washington Post, Harper’s Bazaar, and Refinery29.
Isabel was the Scholar in Residence at Rhodes College 2018-2019, is currently a CoGenerate senior fellow, and in 2023 gave a TedXAtlanta Talk on the power of civic engagement to improve community and sustain democracy. She is also the co-author of the cookbook Latin Chic: Entertaining With Style and Sass (HarperCollins) and executive producer of the documentary short “Women in Music: Inspiring a Generation” featuring former First Lady Michelle Obama. In 2019, she co-edited the anthology and contributed the essay “Finding La Reina in Queen Bey” to Queen Bey: A Celebration of the Power and Creativity of Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (St. Martin’s Press).
During this episode we talked about:
07:32 Mother became advocate for Latino economic empowerment.
15:22 Pursuing artistic culture despite parental expectations, career success.
17:52 Advocacy for diversity in media and empowerment.
22:29 Reevaluating life after immigrant's poignant funeral experience.
27:59 Overcoming challenges with support, one step at a time.
37:41 Advocating for Atlanta highway named after mom.
40:55 Park steward raises funds, elevates community space.
48:12 EcoMadres program raises awareness and advocates change.
49:22 Latino asthma rates spark advocacy for change.
55:27 Rectifying injustices, equity, dignity, and representation.
01:02:42 Latina creates park for underserved Hispanic community.
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