Celebrating feminist environmental justice in action
Part of The Women’s Library at 100 series, the event, Archives of Activism: Exploring Environmental Justice, celebrates the histories of both Wen and the Black Environment Network (BEN). Together, these organisations have helped to shape a more inclusive environmental movement in the UK.
Exploring the roots of environmental and social justice
The evening brings together a panel featuring BEN founder and Wen Ambassador Judy Ling Wong, alongside Dr Tanya Matthan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Geography and Environment at LSE, and Wen team members Ivié Itoje and Helen Lynn. Speakers reflect on the origins of their work, why environmental issues cannot be separated from racial and gender justice, and the importance of holding onto community knowledge as a foundation for change.
Wen’s archive: nearly 40 years of activism
Selected materials from Wen’s archive are on display in the LSE Library Gallery, offering a powerful glimpse into nearly four decades of activism. Early campaign materials, including publications such as The Sanitary Protection Scandal, highlight how Wen was one of the first organisations in the UK to raise concerns about toxic chemicals in everyday products and their impact on women’s health.
Wen at the Don’t Bomb Iraq – antiwar March in London 2003
From grassroots action to national impact
Other items capture the breadth of Wen’s work over time, from grassroots campaigning and community projects to national advocacy that has influenced policy and public debate. Together, they tell a story of persistence, collective action and a commitment to centring women’s voices in environmental justice.
Helen Lynn, Wen’s Senior Consultant and Research Fellow, reflects on the significance of the moment:
“Seeing this history brought together in one place is incredibly powerful. It reminds us that this work has always been driven by women coming together to challenge injustice. Preserving these stories matters, not just to honour who has come before, but to support the next generation of feminist environmental activism.”
Why preserving feminist environmental history matters
The launch of the archive is both a recognition and a resource. It acknowledges the role that feminist environmental organising has played in shaping the movement, and ensures that this history is preserved, accessible and able to inform future work.
Accessing the archive
Wen’s archive is open to everyone and can be accessed at The Women’s Library Reading Room on the 4th floor at LSE. The reading room is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and visits are by appointment. Find out more. Or the archive can be viewed online.
Read about Wen’s history
Read Helen’s perspective on her activism
