April 28, 1998 -- United Methodist women are concerned about high rates of cancer, premature death, and other environmentally related health problems as they attend a national environmental justice training event in Columbia, Mississippi, April 30-May 3.
Environmental Threats to Women s Health and Well-being is the theme for the historic event, sponsored by the Eco-Justice Working Group of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCC-USA). Participation for the event was by invitation; however, of the 50 participants, 10 are United Methodist women. The Women’s Division of the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church has helped support the event financially and has sponsored some of the United Methodist Women (UMW) member attendees.
"To our knowledge, no one has ever hosted a national training event focusing on women as leaders in the environmental justice movement. We’re proud to bring together women’s concerns, health, and faith issues," says Pamela Sparr, executive secretary for environmental justice of the Women s Division, who served on the planning team. "The planning committee and leaders in the environmental justice movement chose these women because of their potential for leadership in the church and community."
At the Columbia-based event, leading environmental justice activists from faith-based and secular arenas will train women on current environmental trends, theological perspectives on environmental justice, economics behind pollution, leadership skills, and community organizing. They will also look at the current state of environmental clean-up in Columbia, its issues and the clean-up process as it can be applied to similar situations in other communities.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated Reichhold Chemical plant site in Columbia for the National Priority List of the Superfund Cleanup Program.
"This area has a high rate of cancer and premature death," says Ms. Sparr. Residents suffer from immune system disorders, respiratory diseases and skin rashes. Women and children of Columbia seem to be the most vulnerable.
"The planning team chose Columbia, Mississippi, as the site because it is emblematic of low-income, mostly minority communities across the country that are experiencing severe environmental contamination," says Ms. Sparr. "Therefore, it s not only an environmental issue, but a racial justice issue."
The Women s Division has a history of environmental justice work. Most recently, the board of directors unanimously passed a resolution to use chlorine-free products in all arenas of the work place and in all Women’s Division-related mission work and events. The Division also agreed to advocate for their mission partners to participate in the resolution. At the upcoming Assembly, where more than 10,000 women will attend, the exhibit area will be made entirely of environment-friendly supplies.
The Women s Division also has sent representatives to such events as the First World Breast Cancer Conference in 1997 as an effort to begin the education of United Methodist Women (UMW) members about the link between breast cancer and environmental contamination.
Jesus People Against Pollution is the local host for the training. In 1992, JPAP organized in response to concerns of residents living near the Reichhold site. The Mississippi Rural Center, a national mission institution of the General Board of Global Ministries, is the primary training site.
The Women’s Division represents United Methodist Women, an organization of one million members. The organization’s purpose is to foster spiritual growth, develop leaders, and advocate for social justice. Members raise more than $25 million dollars a year for programs and projects related to women, children, and youth in the United States and in more than 100 countries around the world.
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