I have always believed that if it is at all possible to save our planet Earth from the destruction that we have wreaked upon Her, that if it isn’t already too late, then it is we — women of a certain age — who are the ones who can and will do it. These dedicated Queens have affirmed my faith:

Amrita Devi, India (18th Century)
Founder of the Shipko Movement in defense against deforestation  
 
Amrita Devi organized a large group of peasants from 84 villages in Rajasthan in an effort to protect the forests from being felled on the orders of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. In one day in 1730, 363 protestors were killed by the axes that were meant to cut down the trees. This event was the inspiration of the modern Shipko Movement, a grass roots association of women peasants who act to prevent the cutting of trees and to reclaim their traditional forest rights. The movement has now spread throughout India and has had far reaching impact on the global green movement.

Rosalie Edge, United States, (1877-1962)
Conservationist and feminist

Rosalie Edge took her experience in the women’s rights movement, her love of birds, her outrage over the behavior of the leaders of the Audubon Association, and with intelligence, persistence and wit became the role model for a generation of women no longer content to sit, breathless, by a campfire or in a city auditorium, while a man lectured on the beauties of nature and the need to preserve them. She also understood that predators have a vital role in the natural order and deserved respect and protection. Her legacy includes both the prominence of women in the environmental movement and a wildlife refuge in Pennsylvania named Hawk Mountain.

Rachael Carson, United States, (1907-1964)
Biologist, ecologist and nature writer

Rachael Carson is widely regarded to be the mother of the modern environmental movement. Her groundbreaking book, Silent Spring challenged the practices of agriculture, scientists and the government, bringing to light the environmental hazards of common post-WWII pesticides. She was attacked by the chemical industry and some in government as an alarmist, but she courageously continued to speak out to remind us that we are a vulnerable part of the natural world, subject to the same damage as the rest of the ecosystem.

Jane Goodall, England and Tanzania, (1934-)
Primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist and conservationist

Jane Goodall’s holistic methods of fieldwork transformed not only how chimpanzees are understood, but influenced scientific thinking regarding the evolution of humans. In addition to being an animal rights activist, her involvement in tropical forests has led her to be actively involved in a number of environmental issues, and to found the Roots & Shoots an international children’s environmental education program and the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education, and Conservation.

Gro Harlem Brundtland, Norway (1939-)
Head of the U.N. commission to define sustainable development

Gro Harlem Brundtland is a politician, diplomat, physician, and  international leader in sustainable development and public health. Dr. Brundtland spearheaded the movement, now worldwide, to abolish cigarette smoking through education and persuasion. She was a two term Prime Minister of Norway, and has served as the Director General of the World Health Organization. She is now Special Envoy on Climate Change for the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves, that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet. 
– Brooke Medicine Eagle

And that hope, my dear sister Queens is us!
 
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The Queen welcomes questions concerning all issues of interest to women in their mature years. Send your inquiries to thequeenofmyself@aol.com.