KATE FRITZ

Gallatin School of Individualized Study

Bachelor of Arts, May 2010

Concentration: Environmental Policy and Human Rights

Bio and Resume (.pdf)

Kate Fritz's individualized course of study integrates Environmental Studies, Urban and Metropolitan Studies, and Political Philosophy. She is particularly interested in the complex interplay between social justice and environmental movements in the public policy arena. Her work centers around the recognition that the environmental challenges facing urban areas disproportionately affect low-income communities and people of color, both internationally and in New York City.

Kate was inspired from childhood by 1960's icon and Woodstock emcee Wavy Gravy at Camp Winnarainbow in northern California. In addition to teaching her circus skills like juggling, trapeze, and stilt walking, Camp Winnarainbow strove to create a safe environment for children and stood as a microcosm of a just society with an emphasis on non-violent conflict resolution. The camp's emphasis on fun and spirit has been a guiding force in her life.

In December 2007, Kate traveled to Peru with Gesundheit! Institute as a clown ambassador to the Amazonian community of Belen near Iquitos, where she clowned for hospitals, hospices, and safe houses and taught circus skills to local children. The devastating environmental conditions in the community she visited strengthened her commitment to environmental policymaking and environmental justice.

In Spring 2009, Kate studied with the School of International Training (SIT) in Yunnan Province, China. In addition to studying Chinese, she researched China's nascent national park system, and the complex balance of conservation and development in relation to China's burgeoning civil society. The experience helped shape her career goal of building cross-sector relationships between business, government, and academic leaders in both the United States and China to facilitate technology transfer, research, and political dialogue towards climate neutrality.

This summer, Kate interned with West Harlem Environmental Action (WEACT for Environmental Justice) to develop a sustainable development plan for the abandoned 135th street waste transfer station. In addition, she worked with the Joint US-China Cooperation on Clean Energy (JUCCCE) to create a model environmental purchasing policy for mid-sized Chinese cities. Kate is a proud 2009 Morris K. Udall Foundation Scholar.