The Manhattan evening event which celebrates the theme “Leading the Change: Women for a Sustainable Future,” is an invite-only affair with limited space remaining for select educators, environmental advocates, and press contacts. Invite requests for both in-person and virtual access may be submitted through catalystproject@stjohns.edu.

Dr. Jalonne L. White-Newsome, associate professor of environmental justice at the University of Michigan, will offer the keynote address. From 2022-2025, Dr. White-Newsome served as the first Federal Chief Environmental Justice Officer, leading the White House’s Office of Environmental Justice that was charged with advancing the Biden-Harris Administration’s Environmental Justice initiatives. Dr. White-Newsome earned a Ph.D. in environmental health sciences from the University of Michigan School of Public Health, a master’s degree in environmental engineering from Southern Methodist University, a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University.

“I am so honored to join NWHA and St. John’s during Women’s History month as we acknowledge the awesome leadership of women of the past, and up lift the sustainability and justice leaders of the present and future,” shared Dr. White-Newsome.

St. John’s University students will host the reception as NWHA’s new collaborators in producing both the magazine and a month-long social media campaign. The magazine features a fold-out centerfold March of Icons calendar featuring 30 sustainability icons for the 31 days of the month, with in depth social media tributes forthcoming. Illustrations of both posthumous and living icons were created by St. John’s student Theresa Lovero. International Women’s Day (March 8) was intentionally left blank to encourage communities to pay tribute to a local icon making a difference. An advanced digital copy of the magazine is now available for viewing.

“In light of recent deregulations and ongoing threats, focusing on all forms of sustainability is more urgent this month than last” shared NWHA Interim Executive Director Dr. Jill Kracov Zinkgraf. “From environmental advocacy to financial reform, from community organizing to policy innovation, women are at the forefront of driving holistic change.”