By NaVonda Marshall

My kindergarten class went on an inspiring field trip to the Anacostia Community Museum in Southeast D.C. to experience their exhibit, “To Live and Breathe: Women and Environmental Justice in Washington, D.C.,” which was open from May 19th, 2023 - January 7th, 2024. The exhibit’s blurb read:

Women have led the environmental justice movement. Women are often the ones who notice patterns of disease in their communities, fight to protect their families and neighbors, and bear the burden of health disparities. In this exhibition from the Smithsonian's Anacostia Community Museum, explore how local women of color draw on a long history of activism and advance environmental justice efforts not only in D.C., but across the country and beyond. Visitors will be inspired as they learn why women have become leaders in the environmental justice movement, which pathways they have taken to arrive there, and how their efforts benefit our local communities and the earth. 

Through this incredible exhibit, we discovered the powerful role women have played in championing the environmental justice movement. From the Smithsonian’s captivating showcase, we explored the impactful contributions of local women of color who’ve paved the way for environmental change in D.C. and nationwide. Witnessing their diverse pathways to advocate for our communities and the planet was both enlightening and empowering for all of us.

During our enriching visit to the Anacostia Community Museum, our kindergarteners not only immersed themselves in the exhibition, but also had the incredible opportunity to meet one of the living legends, Vernice Miller-Travis. Her ongoing work in this field served as an inspiration to us all, highlighting firsthand the dedication and impact of those leading the charge for a better world. We were inspired to visit this exhibit because my colleague Raphael Bonhomme had recently co-facilitated a working group meeting for D.C. area educators on leadership from women of color on environmental justice and the value of community museums uplifting local history. 

See more photos from the field trip. Read about NaVonda’s Teach the Beat classroom visit at School Within a School @Goding.