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Dear Friends,
It is with deep sadness that we write today to share the passing of our
dear friend and sister Irene Dankelman. A mentor to many and a humble
giant in the field of gender and the environment—Irene is part of the
fabric of the WEDO family and all that we work for.
For over a decade, Irene served as the
Chair of the Board of WEDO, having been one of the foremost leaders of
work at the intersection of women’s rights and environment and an
integral player in the foundational work of the organization from as
early as 1990. In her tenure as Chair, Irene brought wisdom, passion,
expertise and tireless support to the team—and oversaw incredible shifts
in normative understanding and policy frameworks at the core of our
work.
In the early 1990s, Irene was one of the
first environmental advisors for what was then known as the United
Nations Development Fund for Women, or UNIFEM, and helped lead on the
preparations for the 1992 Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro. She worked
hand in hand with women’s organizations, including WEDO’s burgeoning
network, to support outcomes including language on gender equality and
women’s rights. These outcomes have been the foundation of over 30 years
of advocacy and work that has built a normative global agenda to advance
women’s voices, particularly those of grassroots and Indigenous women, as
leaders and decision-makers on environmental issues.
Last month, on the 10th December, Irene
received a Royal Declaration, becoming an Officer of the Order of
Orange-Nassau in honor of her life's work and legacy.
"It
is rare in this life to come across someone who is equal parts brilliant
and humble, a leader and a guide, an activist and a pragmatist. But this
beautiful balance is Irene. For many, including me, Irene has been—for decades—a shining light.
With a twinkling eye, a gentle nudge, a clarity of purpose, and an even
hand, she has been the inimitable force of nature—for nature—that has shaped
the lives, organisations and movements of so many of us. From the halls
of UN negotiations, to late-night strategy sessions, to
first-of-their-kind workshops in every pocket of the world, Irene’s calm
strength has been sustenance." - Cate Owren,
former WEDO Executive Director
"Since
my early days at WEDO when she was a Board member, Irene was a role model
and an inspiration, because of both her professional contributions and
her giving spirit. Without Irene’s decades of work on sustainable
development and on gender and environment, we would all be missing out.
But, I think it’s Irene’s compassion and humanity that leaves such an
impression on me." - Eleanor Blomstrom, former WEDO Director
Irene's
contributions to work at this intersection are incomparable. Her wisdom
continues to nourish us, as does her kindness and positivity. May we all
strive to emulate her generous spirit and hope for the world and its
future generations.
Irene passed away on the 28th of December
2022. She was laid to rest “among the trees, heather, sand lizards,
birds and deer” surrounded by family, friends and colleagues.
With love,
Bridget and the WEDO Family
Read More about Irene, in her own words:
"Women on the
forefront at the Earth Summit '92 in Rio."
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