Tennessee

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.

48,015

members in Tennessee

How we’re making a difference in Tennessee

Tennessee moms take action.

Here’s what we’ve been working on in the Volunteer State!

On July 23, 2024, Moms Clean Air Force Associate Vice President Isabel González Whitaker (third from right) traveled to Washington, DC, for our annual Play-In for Climate Action.

Tennessee Moms and Clean Air Kids send Valentines to Senator Alexander and Senator Corker in February 2018 asking that they protect the Clean Car Standards.

Tennessee Moms and Clean Air Kids meet with Senator Lamar Alexander in Washington, DC, in July 2017.

Tennessee Moms and Clean Air Kids at the February 2017 Mama Summit in Nashville.

Tennessee Read-In with Girl Bookworm Inc. Club in Chattanooga, March 2016.

Moms Clean Air Force at the April 2016 Earth Day Festival in Chattanooga.

Moms & Mayors

Our Moms & Mayors program connects moms with their mayors and local leaders to improve children’s health and build resilient communities. We educate, empower and mobilize Moms in their hometowns to work with their local elected leaders to implement clean air strategies, reduce toxins in the community, and take action on climate change. We also train Moms to join boards and commissions and urge them to run for office.

EcoMadres

Launched in September 2018, the EcoMadres program brings Latina moms together to address issues of clean air, climate, and toxics that affect the health of Latino children and families. EcoMadres is a collaboration between Moms Clean Air Force and a number of partner organizations across the US.

The program provides comadres with reliable information and solutions through online resources, articles, action tools, and on-the-ground events. Our inclusive community empowers and lifts up the voices of comadres for the benefit of our families and communities. EcoMadres has a vibrant network of state-based field teams and allies across the country.

We host cafecitos around the country that provide opportunities for the communities to discuss air quality and climate change.

Community Health Equity

Moms Clean Air Force is committed to exposing environmental injustices in the African-American community by taking a stand against environmental discrimination, holding legislators accountable for lack of resources, educating communities on their rights and their issues, standing with impacted communities, and fighting for clean air and climate solutions to promote healthy children and healthy communities.

Through our environmental health justice program Community Health Equity, our goal is to advocate, educate, and amplify through partnering with impacted communities and environmental justice organizations on events and resource development. We hold Table Talks around the country, casual gatherings that organize, motivate, and activate volunteers; partner with churches to use our “Breath of Life” Bible Study; and provide information on environmental health issues in African-American communities.

Our children breathe polluted air.

Smog, or ground-level ozone, is a big issue in one of Tennessee’s largest metropolitan areas—Shelby County. In the 2023 State of the Air report from the American Lung Association, Shelby County (Memphis) received a D grade for ozone air quality. Ozone irritates the lungs, can trigger asthma attacks, interferes with normal lung development, and increases the risk of respiratory infections.

We are already seeing severe weather linked to climate change.

In 2021 alone, Tennessee experienced seven severe climate events costing a minimum estimated $1 billion each. Among them were a historic cold wave and winter storm in February, Tropical Storm Fred in August, and the devastating Hurricane Ida later that same month. Ten separate billion-dollar weather events happened in Tennessee in the first eight months of 2023, including a historic tornado outbreak in March. Moms in Tennessee need stronger climate action to prevent these extreme weather events from becoming more frequent and intense.

Our homes and communities are at risk of flooding.

The 2010 flood in Nashville was deemed a 1,000-year flood, displacing 10,000 people from their homes and causing over $2 billion of damages to private property. The intense period of rainfall that led to much of the city flooding doubled the previous 48-hour rainfall record for the city.

Nashville saw another epic and deadly two-day storm in March 2021. Severe thunderstorms and torrential rain caused flash flooding across western and middle Tennessee 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%. Higher intensity rainstorms leave Tennessee families and communities vulnerable to more devastating floods.

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.