Karen Washington facts for kids
Karen Washington is a powerful activist and community organizer. She works hard for something called food justice. This means making sure everyone has fair access to healthy, affordable food. She believes where you live shouldn't stop you from getting good food.
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Who is Karen Washington?
Karen Washington grew up in New York City. She studied at Hunter College and New York University. In 1985, she moved to the Bronx with her two children. She later learned about organic gardening at UC Santa Cruz.
Starting Community Gardens
In 1988, Karen helped create the Garden of Happiness in the Bronx. This was a place where people could grow their own food. About ten years later, this garden joined with other community gardens. Together, they started a farmers market.
In the late 1990s, the mayor tried to sell many community garden lands. Karen and other activists fought to save them. They used protests and talks to keep the gardens. They succeeded in saving these important green spaces.
Building New Organizations
After her training at UC Santa Cruz, Karen returned to New York. She then helped start two important groups. One is Farm School NYC. The other is Black Urban Growers.
In 2014, Karen learned more about farming at Roxbury Farm. After this, she helped create Rise and Root Farm. This farm is in Chester, New York.
Understanding Food Apartheid
In 2018, Karen Washington started using a new term: "food apartheid." This term helps explain why some communities have less access to good food. It shows that social unfairness and injustice affect the whole food system. It's not just about a lack of stores. It's about deeper problems that stop people from getting healthy food.
Important Organizations
Karen Washington has played a key role in several organizations. These groups help people get better access to food. They also work for fairness in the food system.
Farm School NYC
Farm School NYC teaches people in New York City about farming. It offers training and learning chances. The group wants to inspire action around food access. They also work for social, economic, and racial fairness.
Black Urban Growers
Black Urban Growers (BUGs) started in 2009. They held community events focused on food. In 2010, BUGs hosted their first big conference. Over 500 people attended this Black Farmers and Urban Growers Conference. Their goal is to help people of African descent with food and farm issues. This includes health, community, and money matters.
Rise and Root Farm
Karen is a co-founder of Rise and Root Farm. This farm is in Orange County, New York. It is a sustainable farm. This means it uses methods that protect the environment. The farm is also run by women and works together as a team.
Awards and Recognition
Karen Washington has received important awards for her work. In 2012, Ebony magazine named her one of the "Power 100." This list highlights influential African-Americans. In 2014, she received the James Beard Foundation Leadership Award. This award recognizes people who make a big difference in the food world.
