Women build community cohesion by playing the role of first responders and caretakers at home and their communities. In this way, when women are impacted by the climate crisis, whether through extreme heat, intensified hurricanes, or asthma exacerbated by air pollution, our communities feel the ripple effects.
The historic divestment of women, especially women of color, results in exposing women to higher risks and greater burdens from the impacts of climate change. This story was no different when Miami faced Hurricane Irma in 2017. CLEO’s Empowering Resilient Women was created in its aftermath as a response to the visible gaps that left marginalized communities under-represented and under-supported in emergency preparedness.
Florida and its residents stand at the frontline of the climate crisis. Especially people of color, women, elderly, disabled, rural and LGBQTIA+ communities. Empowering Resilient Women connects the dots on climate, gender and equity for women in the City of Miami and surrounding areas.