Young Women Making History: Rikki Held on Climate Litigation, Justice, and the Power of Youth Voices
March 8, 2025
Photo courtesy of Stephanie Alton
Throughout history, young women have been at the forefront of the climate movement, challenging injustices and reshaping the future. This Women’s History Month, we celebrate those who are making history today, like Rikki Held, the lead youth plaintiff in Held v. State of Montana, the constitutional climate case that secured a groundbreaking victory for youth and a safe climate. As one of nine young women plaintiffs in the case, Rikki is part of a powerful new generation of leaders proving that the voices of young women are indispensable in the fight for climate rights. Rikki holds a BA in Environmental Science from Colorado College and currently works as a science educator in Kenya through the Peace Corps. Her future plans include attending graduate school to continue earth and climate science research.
In this Q&A, Rikki reflects on what it means to be a woman making history, the collective strength of young women in the climate movement, and how Held v. State of Montana is inspiring future generations to take action.
As the lead plaintiff in Held v. State of Montana, you are not only part of a historic legal case, but you’re also a young woman leading the charge for climate justice. How does it feel to be making history as a woman in such a pivotal moment?
I feel that as one individual working with so many dedicated men and women involved in making a difference in our world, I am also following in the footsteps of many before me who have founded the sets of values and beliefs we are trying to uphold. Women such as Mae Nan Ellingson, who helped write provisions in the Montana Constitution such as the right to a clean and healthful environment at the 1972 constitutional convention, and Cathy Whitlock, an earth scientist studying climate change and its impacts in Montana, are leading experts in their fields working to protect our state and make a difference. Other strong Montanan women like my grandmother, who made a huge impact in her community, are also people I look up to. I hope to make an impact in the world just as they have and continue working with dedicated people to make changes and inspire the next generations.
You were one of nine incredible young women plaintiffs in this case. What has it been like to stand together with these youth leaders?
It has been an incredible experience working with fellow youth leaders and I think so highly of all my fellow plaintiffs bringing their strength and insights to this case and advocating for change in our state. We certainly need to look at human-caused climate change holistically using the best available science as well as broader insights on our societies, which come from people of all backgrounds with different perspectives to offer. Young women have powerful voices and so much to contribute as we try to shape the actions and decisions that will affect our futures.
Looking to the future, how do you hope Held v. State of Montana will inspire other young women to take action, both in the environmental space and other areas of justice?
Held v. State of Montana is based on young people standing up for our rights, for what we believe in, and using our voices to make a difference. Working with so many people of all generations and backgrounds has given me a lot of hope for movements and cases like this, and I hope other young people will feel strength in knowing their voices and actions matter. Seeing young people taking action and having success in this case can, I believe, help inspire further action.
Women are often told that they can't or shouldn't lead. How has this case challenged those stereotypes for you, and how do you hope your story will change the narrative for other women?
Women are capable of anything, and this case of course shows the strength and dedication of both women and men in challenging the harmful actions in our societies and protecting our most basic rights to life, liberty, and happiness - including getting to live in a clean and stable environmental system. Leaders are people who stand up for what they believe in, and young women as we have seen over and over again, have strength and dedication that is needed in advancing this movement.
Besides the involvement of youth plaintiffs in this case, we are also backed by many strong leaders including Julia Olson who founded Our Children's Trust. The leadership and determination of our whole team with dedicated people like Julia has resulted in a movement toward promoting the voices of young people and ensuring we maintain a livable climate system for current and future generations. This case and our stories add to the broader narrative of climate action, and I hope these actions motivate individuals to get involved and collaborate with fellow leaders to stand up for what they believe in.
Beyond the legal case, what has been the most rewarding part of your journey as the lead plaintiff in Held v. State of Montana? How has this experience shaped your own sense of purpose and identity?
Being able to work with similarly motivated people to protect our world and our futures has been incredibly rewarding and inspiring. As someone who was able to tell my story to people in positions of power who listened, I have felt more and more that my own story and all of our stories and histories as well as what we are passionate about are important and do matter in making a difference.
Learn more about Rikki here.
Listen to an in-depth WBUR interview with Rikki on the future of climate action in the wake of the landmark victory.