Imagination as Activism: Maya Penn’s Blueprint for a Better Future

As we look to the future, what is one key change or innovation you believe is essential for advancing equality and empowerment in your field?

Grassroots action is so crucial especially in today’s world. We need to be able to move and organize independently, especially those in frontline communities. It’s not just about recognizing who is most adversely impacted by environmental issues, but understanding that those same communities are leaders, innovators, and change makers.

Who are three women that inspire you?

My mom is number one, and I’m so grateful that she has been such a cheerleader and champion for me, but it’s genuinely impossible to narrow it down to just three. I’m blessed to have been mentored by and in community with absolutely incredible women from around the world.

What is the legacy you hope to leave behind as a changemaker and leader in your industry?

 My work is so multifaceted. As someone whose work is informed by the legacy of my ancestors and of my community, being mentored by leaders from the Civil Rights movement, my greatest hope is to be a disruptive force for the good of nature, the arts, and people around the world. Everything is interconnected — the same systemic forces that exploit women exploit the earth. Everything I build and do is in service of protecting our planet and supporting women and marginalized communities, as well as bringing creativity and imagination to the forefront.

What does progress for women look like in your field, and what steps do you believe are necessary to keep that momentum going?

Independent funding of grassroots movements, safety and support systems for women and youth activists, exchanging of solutions, perspectives, cultures, and resources without competitiveness and siloing of our various disciplines in industries. We need to uplift work that goes beyond stagnation and the performative.