This year’s Goldman Environmental Prize celebrates a historic milestone as the first all-women cohort of environmental activists is awarded for their unparalleled commitment to fighting climate change and preserving biodiversity. From Nigeria to Colombia, these leaders exemplify the strength and resilience of grassroots movements, making significant impacts in their communities while drawing attention to critical environmental issues on a global scale. Their stories not only inspire future generations of activists but also highlight the essential role women play in the environmental movement worldwide.
In 2023, the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize honored six remarkable grassroots environmental activists, each championing the fight against climate change and advocating for biodiversity protection across their respective regions. This milestone marks a significant achievement, as for the first time since the award’s inception in 1989 by philanthropists Richard and Rhoda Goldman, all recipients are women. The winners hail from diverse backgrounds, including Iroro Tanshi from Nigeria, Borim Kim from South Korea, Sarah Finch from the United Kingdom, Theonila Roka Matbob from Papua New Guinea, Alannah Acaq Hurley from the United States, and Yuvelis Morales Blanco from Colombia.
Often referred to as the “Green Nobel,” the Goldman Prize is awarded to grassroots activists selected from the six primary regions of the world, each receiving a monetary prize of 0,000. John Goldman, vice president of the Goldman Environmental Foundation, emphasized the significance of grassroots leadership in environmental advocacy, stating that these winners exemplify the courage, hard work, and hope needed to make meaningful progress in efforts against climate change.
Among the honorees, Yuvelis Morales Blanco, the recipient for South and Central America, has been a staunch opponent of commercial fracking in Colombia. Hailing from an Afro-Colombian fishing community along the Magdalena River, Morales Blanco began organizing protests after a devastating oil spill in 2018, which displaced local families and killed countless animals. Her determination