Pathways Newsletter

Addressing 21st-century challenges – like climate change, political polarization, and the complexities of a global community – requires leadership that is inclusive, representative of diverse voices, and collaborative. At Montana Conservation Corps, we recognize that in order to prepare the next cadre of leaders and stewards to advance solutions for these challenges, we must create an inclusive and equitable environment in our programs. 

Recently, MCC members and staff participated in the Missoula Pride Parade and Festival. We had one of the larger contingents in the parade, all decked out in MCC gear and carrying chainsaws and tools. We rode in and marched around a decorated MCC truck, and there was no missing the spectators’ delight at seeing the MCC crew. Our new Director of Philanthropy Aaron Jacobs also attended the parade and was wowed by the representation. Aaron recently sat down with Chloe, a Women's+ Field Crew Leader, to discuss MCC’s commitment to DEI and our participation in the Pride parade. Read on for their reflections on Missoula Pride, and how it relates to MCC’s work on equity, identity, and belonging.

Aaron: I'd love to hear how it came about that MCC participated in the Pride parade.

Chloe: So I knew Pride was coming up, and had actually been to Missoula Pride before when I was on a road trip from New York, where I’m from, to Seattle. We just had the best time. And then I was here working with MCC and was looking for ways to engage more with the local community…and [my] new friends who also do MCC. So I sent a screenshot to [Program Manager] Will in the Missoula office and said, we have to do this!

Aaron: What was it like being in the parade?

Chloe: The one time that I will cry at a protest or march is when parents bring their kids. Seeing [this] through the eyes of being four feet tall… there were just so many kids there, just like blowing bubbles. And thinking about the subconscious aspect of seeing a woman hold a chainsaw. It was like when my crew worked the “M Trail” for our first hitch . . . and the entire first-grade class of Lewis and Clark Elementary hiked the M. They saw a group of women with pick axes and huge tools making trails for them. They see it is possible.

Aaron: How do you think participating in something like the Pride parade impacts MCC as an organization and our work?

Chloe: I think it keeps MCC honest. There are things that can't necessarily be called out when there's less visibility for queer people and they don't feel powerful enough to put themselves on the line. You can write a blurb on a website that says all people are welcome, you can have flyers in your office… but are you going to take a public opportunity to be about it?

Aaron: What else can MCC do in the areas of identity, belonging, and equity?

Chloe: Some of it is just to keep creating these spaces for personal development for everyone. There's so much merit in the work experience itself. Even people who aren't queer, like tomboy women. We need spaces where women can be powerful and that's part of their job. It's not even about queerness. It's just about actualizing your potential. Letting people be tough, letting people get outside, get their hands dirty.
Now it's Gen. Z who's coming into MCC. Their needs are so different from previous participants. The COVID pandemic happened when I was 19. That messes up your relationship with your future, because nothing feels stable. And just being outside, not on your phone. Connecting with people and doing baseline human stuff. I feel like my generation needs that so much more than the ones before. [We] need community… being in actual physical space with people like yourself is just so important.

I think another way to answer the question of how MCC can keep supporting queer people is just listening and letting the organization change if it wants to grow and meet the current needs of people.

Aaron: This was the first Pride parade I've been to in quite a while and it just reminded me of the combination of frustration and joy in a space like a Pride parade. There was both. It's interesting hearing you talk about how MCC can create space for both, and MCC can think about how we create space for that joy and some space for expressing anger and hurt and disappointment. 

Chloe: It starts with the community of care. We can talk about community of care all day long. Are we going to be about it? How are we going to be about it?

To learn more about MCC’s commitment to Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging, visit our website: https://www.mtcorps.org/about-us/equity/

Photo by Lo Hunter Photo + Film