By Debbie Chong

Dorothy Le speaks out about Los Angeles transportation. (Source: Dorothy Le)

       Vietnamese American Dorothy Le, 24, is a 2007 UCLA alumna who majored in Environmental Science and minored in Geography/Environmental Studies.  During her undergraduate career at UCLA, she joined and later led E3: Ecology, Economy, Equity – an environmental and social justice organization based in UCLA.  Dorothy helped lead three successful campus campaigns: the UC Divestment Taskforce, The Green Initiative Fund (TGIF), and the Statewide Sustainable Transportation Policy.  

Dorothy currently works as the Planning and Policy Director for the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition (LACBC).  “My favorite part of environmental activism is that I work to protect nature and the world in which we live.  It’s a beautiful world, and I want it to continue being beautiful for my children, grandchildren, and generations beyond.”

However, she has noticed that the American environmental movement has several shortcomings.  “It sometimes doesn’t address race or social equity.  Most low-income minorities are the ones that bear the brunt of environmental pollution and problems.  Even though there are many women in environmental work, most leadership positions are occupied by males, especially white males.”  Dorothy has experienced a glass ceiling firsthand at her workplace.  “Most of the paid staff is female, but all of the Board members are male.  We clearly have a lot of work left in terms of women’s empowerment in the environmental and cycling community.  I have to work, as a woman of color, to incorporate race and equity into environmental work, but sometimes it’s difficult.”  One of her current projects is working to increase bicycle and pedestrian access to six transit hubs in low-income minority areas in Los Angeles County.

Dorothy gives directions for a bike ride through Los Angeles. (Source: Dorothy Le)

“Women in most movements are the key to making a movement mainstream and accessible,” Dorothy says.  “And I encourage everyone­­ -- Asian American, Latino American, African American, Caucasian, Native American -- to understand their privilege, unique contribution and work to make the world a better place.”