Sustainability isn’t just about the environment—it’s about people, relationships, and problem-solving.
Throughout history, women have been at the forefront of sustainability, not only in conserving resources but in creating systems that sustain communities, families, and futures. The exponential effects of their contributions are often immeasurable, shaping economies, morale, and social progress in ways we may never fully quantify.
One of the most striking examples of this is the Six Triple Eight, the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-Black women’s platoon in the U.S. Army during World War II. These women, led by Major Charity Adams, weren’t sent to the battlefield with weapons—they were sent to solve a crisis that was crippling military morale: the massive backlog of undelivered mail.
When they arrived in Birmingham, England, in 1945, they were met with mountains of letters and packages—some sitting untouched for over two years. The chaos had disrupted soldiers’ morale, leaving them disconnected from their families, their loved ones, and their emotional anchors. The Army estimated that clearing this backlog would take six months.
Six Triple Eight did it in three.
Their systemized efficiency was revolutionary: they organized, prioritized, and distributed over 17 million pieces of mail, ensuring that soldiers could reconnect with home. But their impact didn’t stop at letters—it sustained relationships, emotional well-being, and hope. They restored morale, proving that solving logistical problems isn’t just about efficiency—it’s about humanity.
Women’s Problem-Solving and Sustainability: An Unseen Ripple Effect
When women solve problems, they do so with a holistic lens, understanding that solutions don’t exist in isolation. Sustainability isn’t just about preserving resources—it’s about sustaining human connection, economic systems, and long-term societal well-being.
Take Rachel Carson, the marine biologist and writer who ignited the modern environmental movement with her book Silent Spring. Her work exposed the harmful effects of pesticides like DDT, leading to policy changes that still protect ecosystems today. But Carson’s impact went beyond environmental science—she redefined how industries and governments should approach sustainability. Her work didn’t just protect birds and bees; it set a precedent for corporate responsibility, environmental justice, and the right to clean air and water.
When women solve problems, they do so with a holistic lens, understanding that solutions don’t exist in isolation.
Similarly, Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, founded the Green Belt Movement, which not only planted over 50 million trees but also empowered women economically. Maathai understood that reforestation wasn’t just about the environment—it was about women’s independence, economic mobility, and community resilience.
Six Triple Eight, Rachel Carson, and Wangari Maathai all share a common thread: their work was about problem-solving at scale, ensuring that their solutions continued to impact future generations.
The Future of Sustainability is Female
Women’s contributions to sustainability are not limited to history books. Today, leaders like Greta Thunberg, Dr. Vandana Shiva, and Leah Penniman continue this legacy, challenging outdated systems and advocating for climate justice, food sovereignty, and environmental policy reform.
The world needs women’s ingenuity, resilience, and ability to think beyond immediate fixes. The exponential effects of their solutions—whether solving military inefficiencies, preventing environmental collapse, or fostering economic empowerment—continue to shape a more sustainable and just world.
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let’s honor these legacies by committing to the same principles: problem-solving, persistence, and sustaining what truly matters. Because when women solve problems, they don’t just fix what’s broken—they create a future where everyone thrives.
