Katie McGinty: A Lifetime of Environmental Policymaking & Leadership

Katie McGinty is being honored with a lifetime achievement award at the 2018 Celebrating Women in Conservation Awards for decades of service in environmental policy. She has advised Vice President Al Gore and President Bill Clinton on environmental issues and served as secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection under Governor Ed Rendell. McGinty notes that nothing is more fundamental than clean air, land and water, and that a career protecting the environment brings deep purpose.

Drawing on her experience, she points out that environmental problems can either divide or unite communities. She has seen neighbors join forces to restore a creek, logging towns embrace sustainable forestry and coal communities turn toward manufacturing renewable energy equipment. These stories show that environmental challenges, when framed properly, can be the glue that pulls people together rather than a wedge that drives them apart.

McGinty warns that America is in a period of polarization and tribalism that threatens our democracy. In this moment, she argues, environmental protection offers common ground that can inspire us to rise above narrow self‑interests. She expresses gratitude to PennFuture for the recognition and urges everyone to redouble their dedication to clean air, water and a healthy climate as a unifying mission that calls forth the better angels of our nature.