From the boardroom to the frontlines, women have long been the driving force behind environmental and social change. Whether they’re challenging corporations, shaping sustainable policies, or leading grassroots movements, their contributions to ESG are undeniable.
But too often, their voices are overlooked, their work underfunded, and their impact undervalued. This International Women’s Day, we’re shining a light on the women who have fought, and continue to fight, for a more just, sustainable world. From corporate leaders pushing for ethical supply chains to activists risking their lives to defend land and water, their work matters now more than ever.
Yet progress is not inevitable. Women, especially those from marginalized communities, still face systemic barriers in the ESG space. As we celebrate their achievements, let’s also recognize our role in ensuring their voices are heard, their efforts supported, and their impact amplified. Because sustainability and justice go hand in hand—and we can’t afford to leave anyone behind.
Eunice Newton Foote (USA)
In the 1850s, Eunice Newton Foote made groundbreaking discoveries about the greenhouse effect long before the issue of climate change gained widespread attention. In 1856, she conducted experiments showing that carbon dioxide traps heat in the atmosphere, a finding that would later form the bedrock of modern climate science. Unfortunately, her contributions were largely overlooked at the time, but today she’s celebrated as one of the earliest pioneers in the fight against climate change.
Minamata Resistance (Japan)
From the 1950s to the 1970s, women in Minamata, Japan, were at the forefront of the fight against Chisso Corporation, which had been releasing mercury waste into the local waters, causing devastating neurological damage to the community. The Minamata Women’s Resistance led protests, organized legal challenges, and demanded compensation for victims of Minamata Disease. Their activism not only exposed the hidden costs of industrial pollution but also paved the way for stronger environmental regulations and health protections.
Lois Gibbs (USA)
In the late 1970s, Lois Gibbs became an unlikely environmental hero when she discovered toxic waste contamination in her neighborhood, Love Canal, in Niagara Falls. Her activism led to the relocation of hundreds of families and forced the government to take action. Her work was instrumental in the creation of the Superfund program, which funds the cleanup of hazardous waste sites across the U.S. Gibbs’ leadership brought environmental justice to the forefront, proving that grassroots efforts could spark nationwide change.
Berta Cáceres (Honduras)
In the 2000s, Berta Cáceres, an Indigenous leader of the Lenca people, led a courageous resistance against the construction of the Agua Zarca Dam in Honduras. This project threatened both the environment and the livelihoods of local communities. Cáceres’ activism made her a global symbol for environmental and Indigenous rights. Tragically, in 2016, she was assassinated for her efforts, but her legacy continues to inspire countless people around the world who are fighting against corporate greed and environmental destruction.
Diane Wilson (USA)
In the 1980s, Diane Wilson, a Texas shrimp fisherwoman, began exposing the harmful practices of Formosa Plastics, which had been illegally dumping toxic chemicals into the Gulf of Mexico. After years of fighting for cleaner water and holding the company accountable, Wilson achieved a major legal victory in 2019 when Formosa Plastics was fined $50 million for environmental violations. Wilson’s unyielding determination has made her a symbol of resistance against corporate polluters.
Wendy Bowman (UK/Australia)
In the 1980s and 1990s, Wendy Bowman, a farmer in Australia’s Hunter Valley, began her battle against open-cut coal mining, which was destroying the land she had worked for decades. Despite relentless pressure from coal giants, Bowman refused to sell her farm and became a vocal advocate for land and water preservation in the face of environmental exploitation. Her efforts were key in raising awareness about the devastating effects of coal mining and calling for stronger regulations to protect communities and ecosystems.
These women haven’t just shaped the future, they’ve defined it. Their courage, resilience, and vision are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in ESG. These are the trailblazers leading the charge for a sustainable, equitable future. Get inspired, get ready to act, and join them in making change that last.
