Hi. I'm Tori.

Hi I'm Tori and this is who and why I am: 



“You’re just one woman, you can never make a difference,” I was told for the third time one brisk October evening. This dejection sent me to the curb—literally. I found myself sitting on the side of the road of another middle class suburban neighborhood, receiving curious nervous looks from families playing on their swing sets, mothers commuting children home in minivans, and others taking their pedigree dogs out for a stroll. At this point I began questioning my unappreciated efforts; “What am I doing? Why do I care?”

At that time I was just a door-to-door canvasser. My job was to raise awareness, raise funds, and get a petition signed for the non-profit organization, Ohio Citizen Action (OCA). I was working on OCA’s campaign that called for hydraulic fracturing regulations. I had three seconds to make a connection with someone, ten seconds to judge whether or not it was worth it to continue, one minute to establish trust, and about three minutes to create concern for my cause. Many were rude, others dismissive, and some called the police. Heavy with rejection, I could have quit at any moment. However there was something about the thrill of being told, “You can’t,” and then rising to the challenge.

While sitting on the curb that day, I concluded that I had two choices in my life. I could give up—letting the world get me down by joining the majority in passive ignorance—or I could do whatever possible to enact the changes I wish to see in the world. That summer one Biblical verse kept coming mind, “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet,” (Mathew 10:14) so that’s exactly what I did.

In that moment I picked myself up, straightened my clipboard, and mustered the courage to press forward. As a result, I managed to set my own personal record in fund raisings and petition signings that day. I was not born to sit on the curb and watch while others make decisions that impact our planet. I was born to protect our planet. Some people will listen, others will not; I can’t let them get in my way.

This day is emblematic of how I want to live my life. I’ve often been told that my dreams are futile. In response to my vegetarianism, in my refusal to drink from plastic water bottles, or in my preference to ride my bike over drive, people often comment, “How can one person make an impact?” But I continuously attempt to prove them wrong. My small lifestyle habits do make a difference, and I have influenced others to join me in recycling, buying fair trade products, and influencing my friends and family to start a vegetarian diet as well. Moments like these have planted a deep ambition within me to continue to protect people and the planet.

My multi-disciplinary undergraduate coursework in Sustainability has introduced me to many interesting topics. These courses have included topics ranging from climate change, sustainable agriculture, and water resources to conservation of public and private lands.

This fall I will be attending Vermont Law School to pursue a J.D./ MELP in environmental law and policy. I hope to be able to create policies that will prevent environmental damage, consult for businesses on best practices, and become a change agent for the good of our future. This will prepare me to meet the environmental challenges of the 21st century.

            In the mean time, I hope to be writing responses about some of the issues that many people ask me about. Like I said before: some people listen to me, others do not. While I am not a door-to-door canvasser any more, I do have day to day conversations on issues of Sustainability. I hope to write about things that maybe I cannot say in casual conversation, as well as be able to reach a wider audience. So read this if you want, or shake the dust off your browser and move onto another website (?) I don’t know, still working on that one :)