BCAN

Summer Communications and Operations Intern – (She/her)

I grew up in a Cape Verdean family where community and connection to the land were always central. During visits to Cape Verde, I witnessed a different relationship to the environment, one shaped by both resilience and inequality. I remember noticing how limited access to clean water, waste infrastructure, and reliable electricity shaped daily life. But it wasn’t until I got older that I understood these were not just logistical problems; they were the result of deeper environmental injustices. Back in the U.S., I began noticing similar environmental challenges in my own Massachusetts community, where heat, flooding, and pollution often affect those with the least power to address them.

My passion for conservation began when I worked at Franklin Park Zoo. I had the opportunity to learn about wildlife care and assist with local fieldwork alongside biologists. Helping return animals to their natural habitats in the Boston area opened my eyes to the power of local conservation efforts and the importance of protecting ecosystems in urban environments. Later, as an intern with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, I supported the Environmental Justice Office by creating accessible resources and conducting outreach to communities across the state. This experience taught me how critical it is that environmental information is not only accurate but also clear and available to the people most affected.

At Boston University, I continue to study the intersection of climate, research, justice, and community impact. At Boston Climate Action Network, I am excited to build on what I have learned and contribute to a movement that centers equity, resilience, and local voices in the fight for a just and sustainable Boston.