Black History Month - Peggy & Solomon

February 09, 2024

🌱 Meet Peggy Shepherd: Trailblazer in Environmental Justice

We are thrilled to spotlight Peggy Shepherd, the co-founder and executive director of WE ACT For Environmental Justice, in our latest newsletter. Peggy's unwavering dedication to combating environmental injustices in marginalized communities has been nothing short of inspiring. Through her leadership, WE ACT has become a beacon of hope, empowering communities to advocate for their right to clean air, water, and a healthy environment. Join us in celebrating Peggy's remarkable contributions to the environmental justice movement! #EnvironmentalJustice #CommunityAdvocacy 🌍

Check out the WE ACT website here:
https://www.weact.org/

Before there was a Peggy Shepherd, there was....

Solomon Brown
1829-1906

🏛️ Solomon Brown was the first African-American employee of the Smithsonian Institution. He served under three Smithsonian secretaries. He rose in the ranks despite a lack of formal education, writing letters that help document the experience of a free Black man during the Civil War.

He educated himself on natural history and was the source of many illustrated maps and specimens, giving talks such as “The Social Habits of Insects.”🪲

He also wrote poetry and is remembered to this day on the grounds of the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C., where several trees have been planted in his honor. 🌳

Also in TuTu's Green Stuff Blog

World Day of Social Justice, Caring for People by Caring for Our Planet 🌍💚

February 20, 2026

World Day of Social Justice is a reminder that fairness, kindness, and opportunity should be part of everyone’s life. It encourages us to think about how people are treated and whether everyone has what they need to be healthy, safe, and respected. What many youth may not realize is that caring for people is deeply connected to caring for the planet we all share.

Valentine’s Day, A Celebration of Love That Goes Beyond Hearts 💚

February 13, 2026

When people think of Valentine’s Day, they often picture hearts, candy, and cards. While those are fun, this holiday can also be something much bigger. Valentine’s Day is really about love, and love does not stop with just one person. It can include our friends, our families, animals, and even the Earth itself 🌍.

World Environmental Education Day: Turning Curiosity Into Care 🌍💚

January 23, 2026

World Environmental Education Day is a celebration of learning about our planet and why it needs our care 🌍. For youth, this day is a reminder that curiosity is powerful. Asking questions about nature, animals, weather, and ecosystems helps turn everyday observations into real understanding. The more you learn about how Earth works, the more confident you become in helping protect it.