Majora Carter electrifies KIW Gala
"America has five percent of the world's population, and 25 percent of what?"
Majora Carter posed this question to the expectant audience of more than 300 attending the Third Annual Keeping It 
Wild Gala on Saturday, Nov. 3, 2007 at the Georgia Freight Depot.
"Waste" and "pollution," several people piped up.
But the audience was chilled when the MacArthur Foundation "Genius Award" winner and founder of Sustainable South Bronx, responded,
"We have 25 percent of the world's incarcerated." Audrey and Frank Peterman with Majora Carter, the Keynote Ms. Carter went on to link Speaker of our 2007 Gala.
the problems of inequity and
injustice in our society to the root causes of poverty and environmental degradation.
She spoke passionately of the urgency to transform polluted and contaminated neighborhoods into safe and healthy places for citizens to live and work, citing her personal transformation from an aspiring writer to an environmental advocate. Coupled with her resulting accomplishments, she amply illustrated the theme of the Gala, "Protecting Your Environment: The Power of One."
Susan Kidd, former SVP of the Georgia Conservancy, moved the program flawlessly as Mistress of Ceremonies after having worked tirelessly as the Chair of the Host Committee. KIW Executive Director, Kathryn Kolb, presented a brilliant overview of the program's aims and objectives.
In keeping with previous KIW events the audience represented the diversity of the region ethnically, racially, and culturally. The Gala continued the tradition of being the great arena where conservationists, environmentalists and supporters gather informally to share their commitment to protecting our environment in a relaxed and congenial atmosphere. Participants spoke of the inspiration they derived from participating KIW hikes in the North Georgia Mountains; canoe trips on the Ocmulgee River through the wildlands of Central Georgia, snorkeling in the Conasauga River and the "Ecology of the City" urban hike led by Quinton Bass. Wayne Jenkins, Executive Director of Georgia ForestWatch gave impassioned comments on the need for individuals to become more involved in protecting our forests and wildlands.
Closing the affair, KIW Steering Committee Chair Frank Peterman appealed to members of the audience to contact their federally elected officials to support increasing the Land and Water Conservation Fund as a primary method to save forests and wildlands.
The event was videotaped by local public broadcasting and will air in a matter of weeks.
To see the sponsors of this event and host committee, click here. For more information about Ms. Carter and her progressive environmental group, click here.
112 Krog St., Suite 23, Atlanta, GA 30307 - 404-872-9453 ext. 13 - keeping_it_wild@tws.org