Every March, Women’s History Month invites us to reflect on the extraordinary impact women have had on our communities, our country, and our world. From groundbreaking leaders and scientists to grassroots organizers and caregivers, women have shaped history through courage, resilience, and vision. This year, we’re proud to begin that celebration right here at Clean Water Action by spotlighting our newly appointed president, Lynn Thorp—the first woman to lead our organization in its more than 50-year history.
Throughout the month, you will hear from Lynn as she reflects on her Clean Water journey starting with today’s blog – Clean Water Action Then and Now!
As I reflect on the first two months of my tenure as Clean Water Action President, I can’t help but think back to my first weeks on the job exactly 27 years ago. I came in to organization to work on drinking water projects — specifically the implementation of the 1996 amendments to the Safe Drinking Water and coordination of the Coalition for Safe and Affordable Drinking Water! The organization, my work, and our world have changed immensely in that time, but what I think of as the Clean Water fundamentals have proved remarkably resilient.
From the very beginning, Clean Water’s approach has been one of “strength in numbers.” Founded as the landmark Clean Water Act was passing, the organization set out to make sure that its water pollution goals weren’t undermined. That was going to take issue and policy knowledge and a people-power approach. Like so many endeavors our government undertakes, public engagement was and remains key.
Clean Water’s public engagement principles are embedded in our programs and our structure. In a time of reliance on digital communications and virtual gatherings, we are still running our Field Canvass programs to talk to people face-to-face. Perhaps unbelievably, we also run our Phone Canvass programs, where our staff speak to Clean Water Action members about the issues and renew their support. These are complicated endeavors, and these sorts of programs are not common these days. On occasion, I have to take a moment to remind myself of how unique and powerful it is that we are still engaging with the people who support us and who we need to succeed.
My first weeks on the job at Clean Water Action coincided with a meeting that included staff from state offices, a fortunate coincidence that gave me an early indication of another aspect of the organization that I would come to appreciate and in fact enjoy. Clean Water’s staff was and is knowledgeable and visionary. They are dedicated and full of purpose, but don’t take themselves so seriously that they can’t talk to just about anyone and be open to new ideas. There’s also tremendous potential in being one unified organization with state offices that have worked for decades to build relationships and a track record of success.
It was in those first weeks that I began to immerse myself in water pollution and drinking water issues. This was the beginning of a rewarding journey that I hope to describe in future posts. For now, I will say that my first two months helping to lead this mighty organization have confirmed the feeling I had on day 1 - “I think I’m going to like it here.”
This is the first in a series of posts in which Clean Water Action's President Lynn Thorp will reflect on her experience at Clean Water Action in the organization's 54th year. Stay tuned and please consider donating to support our work!
