Moms in Tennessee - Moms Clean Air Force

Moms are working in Tennessee to fight for clean air and a stable climate. We host events, share information about what’s going on, and create opportunities for mothers to talk to their legislators about their concerns. Please join us in Tennessee, and let us know about your priorities.

What We’re Working On

Tell Mayor Harris: Protect Memphis Families From Elon Musk’s Toxic xAI Pollution

The xAI Colossus supercomputer facility, owned by Elon Musk in Memphis, Tennessee, is openly flouting clean air protections that keep our children's lungs healthy and safe. Moms are calling on Mayor Harris to tell xAI to stop operating unpermitted turbines, shift to clean, renewable energy sources, and install ambient air monitoring.

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Tell Governor Lee: Lead on Climate Safety

It is more important than ever for states to act on climate change. States—and their governors—can be powerful leaders in building a clean energy economy. That’s why we’re asking Governor Lee to step up to slash climate pollution, protect children’s health, and ensure clean air for all. Our future depends on it.

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Highlights

Tennessee Moms testify at EPA hearings, urging the agency not to roll back pollution protections for fossil fuel power plants. In July 2025, Moms’ Isabel González Whitaker joined clean air advocates from across the country to share firsthand stories of why our families deserve to be safeguarded from harmful greenhouse gas and mercury pollution. Read Isabel’s testimony about greenhouse gas pollution from power plants and the Mercury and Air Toxics Standards.
Tennessee Moms attend the World Health Organization Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health. Moms’ Isabel González Whitaker traveled to Cartagena in March 2025 to speak on a panel titled Advocacy for Our Right to Breathe Clean Air and accept WHO’s prestigious BreatheLife Voice honor on behalf of Moms’ Co-Founder and Director Dominique Browning.
EcoMadres convene inaugural maternal and children’s health summit in Phoenix. In October 2024, EcoMadres’ Isabel González Whitaker attended EcoMadres’ first-ever national gathering of community leaders, health care professionals, and policymakers to tackle the unique climate-related health challenges disproportionately impacting Latino communities. Watch the replay.
Moms are invited to the 2024 Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s Leadership Conference. To kick off Hispanic Heritage Month, EcoMadres’ Isabel González Whitaker moderated a panel titled “Advancing Together in the Green Economy,” featuring Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez, Representative Mike Levin, and advocates highlighting Latinos in the clean energy movement.
Tennessee Moms travel to Washington for the White House’s Roundtable on Latino Economic Empowerment Through Climate Action. In May 2024, Moms’ Isabel González Whitaker attended a White House event where members of the community and cabinet officials discussed the impacts of historic climate investments and the role of Latinos as a significant contributor to the emerging green economy.
Moms celebrate the holidays at the White House. In December 2023, President Joe Biden invited Moms’ Dominique Browning and Isabel González Whitaker to the White House for a holiday party for advocates, where he spoke directly about prioritizing climate solutions and mitigation.

Events and Resources in Tennessee

Why We Care

Ozone pollution is a big issue in one of Tennessee’s largest metropolitan areas—Shelby County. The Memphis area received an F grade for ozone from the American Lung Association—which means dangerous breathing days for the 22,200 children with asthma there. The overwhelming majority of Tennessee’s communities do not have air monitoring systems, so we cannot accurately assess the health risks local polluted air can pose to our families.

Tennessee is also already seeing severe weather linked to climate change. In 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated East Tennessee communities with heavy rainfall and extreme flooding that washed out homes, roads, and businesses. This was the latest in a series of severe storms in the state, including a March 2021 epic and deadly two-day storm in Nashville that left 15,000 homes without power.

As our climate continues to warm, flooding will become an even greater issue in the Southeast. Since 1958, precipitation in the region during heavy rainstorms has increased by 27%.

Past Events

October 2023

On October 19, EcoMadres’ Isabel González Whitaker, Carolina Peña, and Mercedes McKinley were the speakers for the October Coffee and Climate Conversation, a monthly convening of Moms Clean Air Force volunteers across the country. This month, we focused on Hispanic Heritage Month and the Latino community’s contributions to the environmental and climate movements.

On October 10, EcoMadres Director Isabel González Whitaker hosted an EcoCharla with EcoMadres: A Climate Chat with Representative Justin J. Pearson, Tennessee District 86. Watch the replay.

September 2023

On September 22, Isabel González Whitaker, Moms Clean Air Force Associate Vice President, attended the Latino Leaders Network 69th Latino Leaders Luncheon in New York City.

On September 19, Isabel González Whitaker, Moms Clean Air Force Associate Vice President and Memphis resident, moderated a Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute 2023 Leadership Conference breakout session titled “Strong, Healthy Latino Communities: Addressing Chronic Health and Autoimmune Issues” in Washington, DC. During the session, panelists discussed resources and new initiatives to address the disparities in health outcomes experienced by Latino communities.

July 2018

Members of Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended the fifth annual Play-In for Climate Action on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

December 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee spoke at the TREEDC Annual Conference in Cookeville.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended a climate march in Nashville.

November 2017

Field consultant, Lindsay Pace testified at an EPA Clean Power Plan hearing held in Charleston, WV.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee spoke at “Chatt about Earth” in Chattanooga.

October 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended “Making the Case for Renewable Energy” at Vanderbilt University.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a Clean Air Play-date in Memphis.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended an Environmental Justice conference in Memphis.

September 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee members traveled to Washington, DC to meet with lawmakers and urge them to protect EPA’s budget.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a Play-In for Clean Air in Nashville.

July 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee members attended the 2017 Play-In for Climate Action in Washington, DC, where they met in-person with Senator Alexander and with members of Senator Corker’s staff.

May 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee met with Senator Alexander’s and Senator Corker’s staff in Chattanooga.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended an event held at Green|Spaces in Chattanooga, which focused on learning about the recent recommendations given by the Liveable Nashville stakeholders to Mayor Megan Barry. Liveable Nashville is an initiative by Mayor Barry to make Nashville the “greenest city in the Southeast”.

April 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee volunteer, Cindy Whitt, attended the D.C. Peoples Climate March.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee tabled at MommyCon in Memphis.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended Earth Day Coolidge Park in Chattanooga.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended Chattanooga Earth Day Rally.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended Earth Day Midtown in Chattanooga.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee tabled at the Earth, Wind, and Solar Festival in Chattanooga.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended a panel discussion at Vanderbilt University: Private Sector Demand for Renewable Power.

March 2017

Field consultant, Lindsay Pace presented at the Institute for Healthy Air, Water and Soil Conference in Louisville, KY.

February 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a Town Talk in Chattanooga outside Senator Alexander’s and Senator Corker’s offices. Supermom and local musician, Sharla June, led the group in an opening song. Field consultant, Lindsay spoke about EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt and the detrimental impact he will have on our air quality and kids’ health. Sandy Kurtz, with Sierra Club, spoke about energy issues in Tennessee.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a “Mama Summit” in Nashville, in partnership with the Tennessee Environmental Council. Tennesseans gathered to tell our state leaders that we are paying attention to their actions. It’s time we unite for strong policies that protect the health and welfare of our families!

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended a TVA Board Meeting in Gatlinburg.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a “We Love Clean Air: Valentine Making Party” at Chattanooga Public Library.

Moms Clean Air Force field consultant, Lindsay Pace and Supermoms frequently visited Senator Alexander’s offices in Chattanooga, Knoxville, and Nashville to ask him oppose the nomination of Scott Pruitt.

January 2017

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee participated in Women’s Marches in Chattanooga and Nashville, part of a network of marches held across the country.

Tennessee supermom, Missy Horesh, attended the D.C. EPW committee hearing for EPA nominee, Scott Pruitt. She also attended a legislative meeting with Senator Corker’s office concerning Scott Pruitt and she dropped information at Senator Alexander’s office.

Supermom, Missy Horesh represented Moms Clean Air Force at the Day of Denial in Nashville outside Senator Corker’s and Senator Alexander’s offices.

Field consultant, Lindsay Pace and Nashville mom, Zozan Noman, along with her family, attended meetings with Senator Alexander’s and Senator Corker’s offices in D.C. to discuss EPA nominee, Scott Pruitt.

Field consultant, Lindsay Pace attended a press conference outside Senator Alexander’s office calling for him to vote against EPA nominee, Scott Pruitt.

December 2016

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a gathering in Chattanooga.

September 2016

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee tabled at Glass Street Block Party in Chattanooga.

Moms Clean Air Force hosted a Play-In for Climate Action at St Elmo Playground in Chattanooga featuring parachute play, music with Sharl-la-la- workshop on blues writing.

June 2016

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a “School’s Out Food Drive” contributing to the over 4,542 pounds of food collected by Moms Clean Air Force chapters nationwide.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee participated in Bike to Work Day in Chattanooga.

May 2016

Field organizer, Lindsay Pace testified at Bureau of Land Management’s public comment session on their Federal Lease Coal Program in Knoxville.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a Mother’s Day Reception at the Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville.

April 2016

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended Green Schools Summit in Chattanooga.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee tabled at Nashville’s Earth Day Festival.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a Read-In with Chattanooga Homeschool Co-op.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee co-hosted a National Healthy Schools Day Celebration in Nashville with Parents for Students Safety to commemorate National Healthy Schools week while continuing to raise awareness and promote healthier indoor air quality.

March 2016

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee hosted a number of Read-Ins:

Bethlehem Community Center with Gardening Group, Chattanooga, TN.
Brainerd United Methodist Church with Girls Inc. BookWorm Club in Chattanooga, TN
East Ridge Elementary with Girls Inc. BookWorm Club, Chattanooga, TN
Clifton Hills Elementary with Girls Inc. BookWorm Club, Chattanooga, TN
South Chattanooga Youth and Family Development Center with Girls Inc. BookWorm Club, Chattanooga, TN
Shepherd Youth and Family Development Center with Girls Inc. BookWorm Club, Chattanooga, TN

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee spoke at the United Methodist Church’s Women and Children Annual Conference in Nashville, TN.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee attended tabled at Conservation Education Day, State Capitol, Nashville, TN.

February 2016

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee is hosted a virtual “Read-In” with Dhahran Campus in Al-Khobar, Saudi Arabia.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee participated in Tennessee Environmental Council’s 50K Tree Day helping plant 50,000 trees across Tennessee.

Moms Clean Air Force Tennessee delivered comments on why renewable energy is so important to our kids’ health at the Tennessee Valley Authority Board Meeting in Chattanooga.

Hosted a Healthy Hearts Love Clean Air Valentine Making Party.