Written by Tumay Aslay
California surfer Becky Mendoza is Co-founder and board Executive Director of Changing Tides Foundation, an environmental organization founded by a surfing sisterhood. Its battlecry: use our voices to advocate for the planet and all of its inhabitants. In 2016, Mendoza decided to launch the foundation to create a diverse community of people with a shared passion for solving global challenges and creating change. She was driven by her firm belief that women are a critical part of the solution for a healthier planet. She has not only managed to design an organization that puts women at the forefront of the fight against environmental crises, but also teamed up with like-minded organizations around the world to implement mentorship programs to protect the earth.
In a time when our social media channels have been bombarded with portraits of our planet getting destroyed by climate change, the vision of Mendoza is to show people the changes they could make at an individual and collective level.
Mendoza is a go-getter, self-starter and risk taker. She went to the University of Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She then attended St. Thomas University in Miami for Law School where she earned a Master’s in Sports Administration. It was only fitting that Mendoza, who has been working towards a more sustainable world, talked to Seismic Sisters about sisterhood, pushing change for equity and her vision for a healthier planet.
What drove your passion for protecting the planet and creating change?
I would say my empathy drives my passion. In this day and age, photos, video and social media have had a big impact in unveiling the problems that exist on our planet. I’m incapable of standing around and doing nothing while others suffer. If there is an action I can take to make someone else’s life a bit better, or to be more mindful of the planet and its beings, then I’ll do what I can.
The ladies of WOMP in Bocas looking at the photos they took of their communities, through their own lenses, in a photography workshop. Photo credit: Ashley Barker @barkerfoto
How did your years working in the action sports industry prepare your fight for environmental justice?
I have been an attorney in the action sports space for almost 15 years. I’ve watched how social media has changed our industry and I’ve watched athletes become advocates for the planet. I think the biggest benefit is understanding the psychology of how to connect with people who live the action sports lifestyle. Everyone in this industry thrives off of being outdoors and in nature, so it makes sense to want to protect where we play.
Changing Tides Foundation was born from the idea that the world would be a better place if we all had the opportunity to be of service, and that is what we do, we give anyone and everyone the tools to make better decisions for the planet. We are inclusive and inviting. We want everyone to know that they can be the change, that we need to do this together.
Changing Tides Foundation co-founders, Leah, Anna and Becky, with Emi Koch from Beyond the Surface International surfing in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Photo credit: Ashley Barker @barkerfoto
Can you talk a little bit about the intersections of diversity, financial resources and environmental awareness? Why is it important to make these connections?
The concept of intersectional environmentalism is something that we have made a commitment of educating ourselves about. As we learn, we share that knowledge with our audience. There are issues of accessibility because typically things that are seen as ‘healthy’ or ‘sustainable’ are more expensive, therefore making it inaccessible for much of the population. Our goal is to help people understand that they don’t need to spend a bunch of money to be more kind to the planet. Anyone can grow food from seeds. Anyone can repair their clothes or shop second-hand. Anyone can bring a cup or reusable water bottle with them, anyone can bring a bag with them to the grocery store.
The bigger issue is racism, which basically puts communities of color at a disadvantage from the start. In essence, the burdens BIPOC communities face, from a financial and health perspective stemming from decades of discriminatory housing and lending practices, means that they have bigger fish to fry than caring about single-use plastic, which we totally understand. We are learning that we have to work together to dismantle the bigger issues of racism simultaneously as we tackle environmental problems. It is actually a super complex issue that we have committed to getting educated about.
Becky Mendoza , Co-founder and board Executive Director of Changing Tides Foundation. Photo credit: Michael Beck for Unstuck Woman
What environmental achievements are you most proud of today?
We have done so many different things from composting on Oahu and cleanups across the globe to education about plastic pollution, climate change, environmental justice and more. I think our most effective achievements have been getting people to understand that our individual actions matter. That with small changes we can create new, healthy habits for ourselves and the planet. Knowledge is power, so education is the key to a better future.
What are the benefits of collaborating with other like-minded organizations?
Since day one, our model at Changing Tides Foundation has been based on collaboration. There is so much work to be done and no organization can do this work alone. If we all work together, we can create collective change and reach the masses.
Some of the Changing Tides Foundation team at a beach cleanup at Moonlight Beach in collaboration with Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii I think Cred for this one is: Jianca Lazarus @jianca_lazarus
Why is it important to empower women to protect the planet?
I would love to see more women working together to empower one another rather than competing against each other. I would love to see more men involved in lifting women up and bringing more female voices to the table. Women offer a different perspective, and I think that is what is necessary to find the solutions to the problems that exist in our world today. The biggest beacon of hope for me is seeing more women as stakeholders and decision-makers in the environmental realm.
How would you like to see Changing Tides Foundation grow in the future?
I would love to see Changing Tides Foundation chapters grow far and wide, across the globe. We all have the power to work together to create change, and I want people to know that.
Becky with the ladies of the first ever Women’s Outreach Mentorship Program (WOMP) in Bocas Del Toro, Panama. Photo credit: Ashley Barker @barkerfoto
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