Learn about New Jersey's movement for a constitutional Green Amendment to recognize and protect our right to clean water and air, a stable climate, and healthy environments as an inalienable human right for all people, including future generations. Join Kim Gaddy, Maya van Rossum and Ashley Park for a presentation and discussion on the status of the NJ Green Amendment and the transformational difference environmental constitutionalism can create for balancing justice and equity in impacted communities.

Our speakers:

Kim Gaddy, Environmental Justice Director, Clean Water Action: Kim Gaddy is the Environmental Justice Director for Clean Water Action of New Jersey. She has been advocating for communities impacted by industrial pollution and the goods movement system in Newark and across the country for 18 years. Kim develops and implements Clean Water Action/Clean Water Fund's grassroots environmental justice campaigns and coalition building efforts in New Jersey. She is a former Newark School Board Member, New York/New Jersey Regional Representative for the Moving Forward Network, Port Commissioner for the City of Newark, Appointed by Governor Phil Murphy to serve as Vice-Chair of the NJDEP's Environmental Justice Advisory Council, former Chair of both the Newark Environmental Commission and the Essex County Environmental Commission, a founding member of the New Jersey Environmental Justice Alliance and New Jersey President of the International Black Women's Congress. Previously, she worked in Municipal government in Newark for 12 years and served as the first female Chief of Staff, for Councilwoman Mildred Crump. Kim was recognized for her Community Service in the 2018 Newark Women from Suffragettes to the Statehouse, 2017 selected as 100 People of Newark, Women on the Move Award recipient and a 2007 recipient of the Environmental Protection Agency Region 2 Environmental Community award.

Maya K. van Rossum, Founder of Green Amendments to the Generations, Delaware Riverkeeper and leader of Delaware Riverkeeper Network: Maya K. van Rossum is the Founder of Green Amendments For the Generations, a grassroots non-profit organization inspiring a nationwide movement to secure constitutional recognition and protection of environmental rights and author of, The Green Amendment, Securing Our Right to a Healthy Environment. van Rossum is also the Delaware Riverkeeper, leading the watershed based advocacy organization, the Delaware Riverkeeper Network, for over 26 years in its efforts to protect the health of the Delaware River and its tributaries. In partnership with Maya and Green Amendments For the Generations, constitutional amendments have been proposed in 11 states to date.

Ashley Park, NJ Youth Leaders for the Green Amendment: Ashley is the Vice President of the Environmental Protection Initiative at Bergen County Technical High School, North Jersey Regional Coordinator of the New Jersey Student Sustainability Committee and Youth Representative of NJ GAFTG. She is also the Co-Founder of Generation Green, an online magazine for environmental articles, photography, and artwork, and which fosters a community of writers and artists who share the goal of building a sustainable future. Ashley is devoted to using the power of visual arts to raise awareness and inspire people's views and behaviors regarding environmental issues, and she is passionate about fighting for equitable climate policies