Following Wangari Maathai’s presentation at the Women’s Funding Network Conference on Saturday, I couldn’t help but love this article in today’s Washington Post about yet another woman trailblazing the way to social change on behalf of the environment.

Rebecca Hosking, a resident of Modbury, England, was disturbed and saddened to see thousands of dead birds on the coast in Midway while there as part of her gig as a BBC wildlife film producer.  The birds were dead because they’d consumed tons of plastic bags, cigarette butts and other trash left by us humans.

When she returned to her hometown in England, she convened her local business owners, explained the situation, researched and alternative, and proposed a ban on plastic bags. 

They bit, and the ban took effect with businesses using more expensive, bio-degradeable bags made from cornstarch.  Now, they’re all the rage, and even better, folks are using less of those and more reusable cloth bags.

A year later, the town is going to do a beach clean-up day, and whatever they find the most of in terms of trash, they’re going to do their next batch of problem-solving around that.

An awesome story of the power of a woman to create sustainable, social change in her community on behalf of the environment around her.  I imagine that she’s thinking something similar to what Dr. Maathai said, when she explained that she didn’t mean to start a movement, she just wanted to plant trees.

So often this is how women lead–quietly, smartly and effectively.  Here’s to Rebecca and to the many other women quietly working away to lead innovative change that makes our communities stronger for everyone.

Whew, that was a whirlwind!  But alas, the 2008 Women’s Funding Network Conference has ended and those of us who aren’t attending the Council on Foundations Conference this week are back in the office, holding down the fort.

I’ll admit, I’m not generally a big fan of conferences.  I tend to develop short-term attention deficit disorder when trapped for too long in windowless rooms to mingle with strangers and listen to speeches.  I am an introvert, after all.  Meeting too many new people makes me tired.  I am also allergic to nametags.

However, I have to tell you, as far as conferences go, I thoroughly enjoyed this one–and left with lots of new ideas and extra inspiration to execute them.  A few highlights:

1.  Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai’s keynote speech about her accidental journey into starting an environmental movement, and the collective power of women to change the world.  She’s as inspiring, honest and wise as you can imagine, and funny as well.  She had us laughing and thinking, which is always a great combination.

2.  Meeting colleagues from throughout the international women’s funding movement–from Memphis to a unique group out of Boulder that provides emergency grants for human rights work on behalf of women throughout the world.  The diversity, intelligence and innovation behind all of the work being done throughout this movement is really awesome.

3.  Seeing what amazing work so many women’s funds are doing with very few resources.  Many have a staff of just one or two and are plugging along to continuously grow and improve their grantmaking and effectiveness.  I was struck by the determination and dedication of the women I met. 

4.  Taking tips, ideas and learnings from others from throughout the movement, and being able to offer support and advice in areas where The Women’s Foundation has been fortunate to get ahead due to our amazing pro bono supporters, board and volunteers.  I really took away an appreciation for how fortunate we’ve been to get the support that we have to improve our communications and development efforts, and overall infrastructure, along with everything else–and loved the opportunity to pass along much of what I’ve learned from our community of supporters to other women’s funds.

5.  Hearing Angela Bassett share her story of being raised by a single mother during tough times, and the influence her mother had in shaping her daughter’s very bright future.  Truly inspiring.  (Angela is now a spokesperson for WFN’s new Good Deed brand.)

6.  Seeing the Women’s Funding Network and our Stepping Stones initiative (along with two of our major supporters) in the Washington Post!

7.  Being there when Stepping Stones won an award for Changing the Face of Philanthropy!

8.  Hearing Dr. Geeta Rau Gupta, head of the International Center for Research on Women, talk about the latest research on women’s economic security, health and well-being around the world.  She also told her personal story through the experiences of her two grandmothers–one who was educated, married later, had fewer children due to access to birth control and one who was not educated, had many children, suffered health problems and died young.  Their stories and the impact they each had on their families tells the story of how the health, well-being and economic security of a woman greatly determines the future and health of her children and family. 

9.  Getting rid of a cell phone that had been just taking up space in my closet.  I recycled it through the Good Deed cell phone recycling program.  Sadly, I did not win the raffle attached to doing so because someone managed to collect and recycle 36 phones on her own, greatly improving her odds.  Still, I guess that’s okay, since all proceeds from recycled phones go to fund programs for women and girls.  Sweet!  (Got a cell phone to recycle?  Click here and they’ll send you a postage-paid envelope.  Or, if you’re near our offices in D.C., we’ll take it and send it in for you.  Just contact me at lkays@wawf.org.)

10.  The huge turnout at the Congressional Reception we hosted on Thursday to welcome the Women’s Funding Network and fill in policymakers on the importance and impact of women’s philanthropy.  Tons of people showed, including Senator Mary Landrieu and Congressman Christopher Van Hollen–who both offered remarks.  Everyone was psyched and energetic about the impact of Stepping Stones and women’s philanthropy here in our region and throughout the country.  It was very cool. 

11.  Hearing about new media and the future of the Interwebs as applies to nonprofits from the Budget Fashionista.  She’s hilarious, smart and just generally cool.   Anyone who can teach you how to use your computer and what shoes should go with your outfit is pretty genius in my book.

12.  Getting my picture taken with Angela Bassett and Dr. Maathai.  Yes, I’m a sucker for celebrity.  And it was just neat to meet them. 

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go start lobbying Phyllis for a chance to go to next year’s conference in Atlanta.