CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS
AGU BOARD OF DIRECTORS
DIRECTOR
BIO
Vice Chair, White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council, Washington, D.C.
Founding Director, Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice, Lowndes County Alabama
Practitioner in Residence, Duke University, Durham, NC
Author, Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret
AGU embraces the global community and welcomes diverse leaders from around the world, representing various identities, voices, and perspectives. List any identities, voices, and perspectives you would bring, including but not limited to nationality, regional representations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, and any other identity you feel comfortable sharing.
Being born and raised in rural Alabama, my background grants me the perspective of those who live in communities that often get looked over or ignored. As a woman of color, I also understand the deep inequities that plague minority communities, especially when it comes to environmental issues. Together, this produces a deep understanding of the historical, political, economic and physical constraints that impede the implementation of better infrastructure in the region.
Volunteer experience that relates to this position:
My volunteer experience related to this role includes serving as the Co-Vice Chair of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council; being a Board member at the Climate Reality Project and the Natural Resources Defense Council; and serving as an advisor in numerous capacities.
Q&A
The AGU strategic plan presents a bold and visionary direction for the organization. Board members must work together with each other, other volunteer leaders, and staff to play a key role in implementing the plan. What are the key features of the strategic plan that you find most exciting? What features do you think will be most challenging? As a Board member how would you partner with others to implement the strategic plan?
Each feature of the AGU strategic plan provides an exciting opportunity to partner with other members of the Board. In particular, promoting and exemplifying an inclusive scientific culture is the pillar that offers the most excitement, but may also be the most challenging. I look forward to working with a wide range of partners to ensure that all voices and perspectives, especially those of marginalized and often disregarded communities, and captured in the Board's efforts.