Elizabeth Yeampierre
UPROSE
Brooklyn, NY USA
"For me, it’s not a job—it’s a life. I’m fighting for the seventh generation yet unborn."
Career Roadmap
Elizabeth's work combines: Non-Profit Organizations, Environment & Nature, and Helping People
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
If you're wanting to get into the climate justice and sustainability movement, I recommend starting by reading the Jemez Principles of Democratic Organizing. Do research on the work that is being done by organizations in this field across the country. Refrain from wanting to create a new organization. Instead, find out what people are already doing in the community and see how you can add value and complement the work that is already being done.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Bachelor's Degree
Political Science
Fordham University
Doctorate
Law
Northeastern University School of Law
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life took a while to figure out
1.
I was born and raised in New York City.
2.
I earned my bachelor’s degree in political science and then went on to earn my law degree.
3.
After graduating, I started building my law career as an attorney.
4.
As a civil rights lawyer, I was organizing against police misconduct when I felt called to join UPROSE and help the environmental justice movement.
5.
I currently lead the mission at UPROSE as the executive director.
6.
In addition to my work with UPROSE, I’m also the co-chair of the Climate Justice Alliance.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
You probably didn't do well on the LSAT.
How I responded:
On my first day of law school, the dean was talking about LSAT scores. The girl next to me, a relative of a supreme court justice, condescendingly asked what I scored. I told her my father was in prison and my mom cleans toilets, but I was going to do circles around her. I went home and cried in private but stayed strong in front of her. I did do circles around her. Be confident that you were descended from people who made it possible for you to be here. No one can take anything anyway from you.