Erin Switalski is an everyday women
living in Missoula, Mont. Erin is putting her passion in social and
environmental justice into action as the executive director for Women's Voices
for the Earth (WVE).
Celebrating their 15th anniversary, WVE has educated thousands of women about
the harmful effects of chemicals and provided tools to protect themselves and
advocate for a healthier environment. This powerful yet small group of women
has made significant impacts by speaking up and banding together.
Their successes include convincing corporations to disclose ingredients in
their products, passing the Montana Thermostat Recycling Act of 2009,
co-leading the national Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, and co-founding the
National Healthy Nail Salon Alliance.
Erin is also one of the 2010 winners of the New Leaders Council 40 Under 40
Awards.
Q. What is the mission of Women's Voices for the Earth?
A. We are a national organization, and our mission is to work to eliminate
toxic chemicals that impact human health by changing consumer behavior,
corporate practices and government policies. Our ultimate goal is to create a
world in which women can go into the store and pick up their favorite products
and not worry that it's laden with toxic chemicals.
Or that they can live in any neighborhood and not be concerned that there is a
factory nearby pumping toxic chemicals into the environment. We have been
successful in closing down seven polluting incinerators in Montana and Idaho.
Q. At what level is the FDA or EPA protecting us from these toxins in our
products?
A. The reality is that most of the chemicals used in the marketplace right now
have not been evaluated for their safety. There are over 80,000 chemicals in
our products that we use every day and have never been evaluated for their
long-term impacts on human health. The chemicals that have been evaluated are
generally tested on men.
Q. What is a chemical commonly used in products that women tend to use
frequently?
A. Phthalates is a chemical that is often found in fragrance. There are many products
that contain ph including lotion, shampoo, cleaning products and many other
things that you might use on a regular basis. This chemical has been linked to
reproductive problems.
Q. What are some tools WVE is offering to consumers?
A. Most recently we've created a tool called the Green Cleaning Party Kit. It's
a fun way to engage women around the toxic chemicals in their cleaning
products. The kit provides information on how to organize your own party, make
non-toxic cleaning products and learn about the toxic chemicals in these
commonly used products. The party is also a get-together to talk about ways you
can advocate to make sure products are safer in the long run. To date over
1,200 women across the country have hosted these parties.
Q. What is the power we have as consumers?
A. We are an incredibly powerful consumer group because women make an estimated
80 to 85 percent of the household purchasing decisions, which means it's our
money supporting these companies. We did a local effort in Montana and Idaho
where we asked Albertsons, a large supermarket chain, to post warning signs
about the dangers of consuming too much fish contaminated with mercury.
We sent postcards, made phone calls and coordinated protests, and immediately
the management changed their policy. They are posting this information
nationwide in 1,000 plus stores. Another example is when women called in to say
they were concerned about what's in SC Johnson and Sons (the maker of Windex)
products and that they don't disclose the ingredients. As a result, SC Johnson
announced that they would disclose the ingredients on their Web site and on the
product label starting in 2012.
Q. How do our standards around chemicals in our products in the United States
compare to standards in other parts of the world like Europe?
A. In the European Union, they have banned 1,100 chemicals for use in products.
The United States has only banned five of these chemicals. The EPA doesn't have
the authority it needs right now to really evaluate chemicals. We'd like to see
a manufacturer prove that a chemical has to be safe before it's put into a
product. There is a piece of legislation in congress right now, the Safe
Chemicals Act that would aim to do just that.
Q. How did you become personally involved in WVE?
A. I have always been interested in the intersection between social justice and
the environment. I met the women of WVE through my former work advocating for
fair and just trade policies – ones that protect the environment and contribute
to sustainable communities. I was inspired by the women I met and knew that
this was an organization I wanted to invest my time and passion into.
Q. Why is the work WVE is doing so important to everyday women?
A. As the primary consumer and caretaker, women need to raise their voice
collectively and recognize that we are going to make a difference and that we
can impact policies on a broader level if we ban together.
Q. What is your message to women around the world?
A. Your voice matters, and sometimes it does seem daunting to take on a massive
corporation or to impact a federal policy, but even small actions that we take
really add up. It's been interesting to see that an organization of our size
really could make an impact on corporations, like SC Johnson and Son or Clorox.
The power of speaking up is incredible. We can do it!
See Jane Do is a multimedia program capturing the stories of everyday women
doing extraordinary things for the planet. Catch the one-hour talk radio
program on KVMR 89.5FM the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m. For more
information, visit www.seejanedo.com.
Five
things you can do today to get involved
Visit the website and support one of
their campaigns.
Find alternative products to those that use synthetic fragrances (phthalates)
Make your own green cleaning products: one part vinegar and one part water is a
great one-purpose spray and a cheap solution.
Write a letter to your representatives to pass policies that will
protect us including The Safe Chemicals Act.
Tell your friends!
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