WASHINGTON, DC – California Senator Barbara Boxer, along with Levi Strauss Sr. Vice President Hilary Krane and Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency Linda Adams are the first leading women to receive Sisters on the Planet Climate Leaders Awards from international humanitarian organization Oxfam America.
“The inaugural award recipients exemplify why Oxfam America launched the Sisters on the Planet initiative,” said Janet McKinley, chair of Oxfam America’s board of directors. “These women are leading the charge to create the political momentum needed to address global warming in a way that empowers poor women across the globe to add their voice and ingenuity to the solution.”
The recipients’ achievements this year include efforts to promote US policy that combats the effects of the climate crisis. Senator Boxer was recognized for her more than 25 years representing California in both the House and Senate where she has worked to promote a cleaner, healthier environment. Just two days ago, Senator Boxer introduced a climate bill that represents a critical step forward in addressing the impacts of climate change on the most vulnerable in developing countries.
As an Ambassador for Sisters on the Planet, Secretary Adams has advocated for poor communities impacted by climate change around the world, especially as it relates to women’s rights, empowerment, and self-governance. During her 32 years of service to the State of California, she has worked closely with states, provinces, and countries around the world to develop a network of climate initiatives to achieve the greatest global greenhouse gas emission reductions. She has been instrumental in negotiating several key pieces of legislation, including the first-in-the-nation laws to promote environmental justice.
As General Counsel and Senior Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Levi Strauss & Co., Hilary Krane vocally supports policies that address the impact of global warming on the world’s most vulnerable communities, especially women and children, who are more vulnerable to climate-related disasters and have fewer ways to protect themselves. She was instrumental in positioning Levi’s as a leader within the Business for Innovative Climate and Energy Policy (BICEP) coalition, which works directly with key allies in the business community and Members of Congress to support meaningful energy and climate legislation that includes resources for poor communities to cope with the effects of climate change.
“The Oxfam Climate Leaders award recipients and Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors are helping to put a human face on climate change,” said Ray Offenheiser President of Oxfam America. “Climate-related disasters have a disproportionate impact on poor people; and it’s often women who are expected to find solutions for their family when food crops are destroyed or water is scarce.”
The Oxfam America awards reception was held in conjunction with the Governor’s Global Summit 2 on Friday, October 2nd hosted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Oxfam’s Sisters on the Planet initiative brings together prominent women, including Members of Congress and leaders in civic, business, faith-based, and philanthropic communities, who recognize the disproportionate impact of climate change on poor people, especially women and children.
Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors are working together to support a responsible US climate policy that includes resources for poor and vulnerable communities across the globe to build resilience to the effects of climate change and empower women to be part of the solution. More than thirty leading women in business, politics, faith are Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors.
