Virginia
Melissa Thomas
Richmond, Virginia Senior Organizer
A lifelong resident of Richmond, VA, Melissa is a dedicated climate justice organizer with over a decade of grassroots and professional experience advocating for policies that prioritize the well-being of children. Her passion for civic engagement and belief in the transformative power of collective action drive her efforts to empower communities to push decision makers toward climate justice. Melissa believes that fostering a powerful multi-racial, cross-class, intergenerational movement of mothers, grandmothers, aunties, and caregivers has the power to ensure a swift, complete, and just transition away from fossil fuels to clean and renewable energy, making extensive progress toward a sustainable society. With a deep commitment to nurturing people power, Melissa passionately champions civic engagement initiatives that amplify voices, catalyze social change, and pave the way for a more equitable future for generations to come. Outside of her activism, Melissa enjoys spending with with her kids, partner, hound dog, and roller derby teammates.