Each month, we highlight a new Supermom of the Month, a volunteer who has gone above and beyond to advocate for clean air and children’s health.
This month, we are celebrating Stephanie Hernandez. Stephanie was nominated by DC Field Events Coordinator Samantha Schmitz.
Stephanie started volunteering with Moms in 2023 and has been a cheerful and reliable member of our team, showing up to a ton of visibility events, press conferences outside EPA Headquarters, and even a congressional hearing. She’s always willing to lend a helping hand, jump into photos, and share our message.
We asked Stephanie a few questions about her motivation and activism:
Why did you join Moms?
I’ve always been worried about climate change, but it didn’t really hit home for me until I became a mom almost two years ago. I’m terrified that the world is spiraling into a dangerous future and that my daughter and her generation will be dealing with these challenges in their lifetimes. I worry about how they will manage sea level rise if they live in coastal towns, extreme weather events that upend communities, and poor air quality from forest fires, like we saw here in DC last summer. I joined Moms so that I can be part of the solution.
How do you talk to your friends and family about environmental issues and inspire them to take action?
When it comes up naturally in conversation, I let them know what I’m doing in my own life to be more sustainable and to take action as a volunteer. Many of my friends and family members have similar values as me, so I’m able to build on those and encourage them to act in their own lives as well. For example, if my family or friends want to give a gift to us, they know to try to give something that’s secondhand and to avoid plastic. My dad, who just turned 80, bought a fully electric car recently—he loves it!
How do you stay motivated to continue advocating for clean air and environmental protection?
It can be challenging to fit advocacy and volunteering into my busy schedule as a small business owner, a mom to an active toddler, and a sometimes caregiver for my aging parents. But when I volunteer with Moms, I am grateful that I have the opportunity to take action and join with others aligned in this fight. Last summer, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a news conference in front of EPA Headquarters about vinyl chloride, a toxic petrochemical used to make PVC plastic that was spilled during the train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, in February 2023. I listened to a speaker who explained how this disaster has drastically impacted her family and community, and it was extremely powerful. I felt proud to be standing behind her in my Moms t-shirt while she spoke and the media watched. My daughter is usually in daycare during these events, but I was able to bring her with me to one event last spring! I want to teach her that standing up for what you believe in by showing up and having your voice heard can make a difference.
What is your favorite eco-friendly activity to do with your family?
We love to go for hikes or bike rides in Rock Creek Park!