As part of Women’s History Month, Cosumnes River College hosted a “Her Lens, Our Future: Women, film and Sustainability” presentation in the Winn Center on Wednesday.

The event, hosted by history Professor Diana Reed and radio, television and film Professor Lauren Wagner, highlighted different women who have demonstrated strong leadership qualities in a variety of areas, including environmental and climate issues.

Some of the women discussed were English anthropologist and primatologist Jane Goodall, American labor leader and feminist activist Dolores Huerta and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg.

Wagner said sharing the stories of strong women to an audience that may not be familiar with their impact was important.

“I hope that people maybe got to see and be introduced to some women or stories that they hadn’t heard before,” Wagner said. “And that will inspire them to maybe do a little more research or find more stories that they weren’t aware of before.”

Akaysia Hill, a mental health advocate and adjunct social justice professor on campus, said she attended the event because of her interest in influential women.

“Admiring Diana and Lauren in their work, I wanted to learn more about some of those women who have paved the way for Women’s History Month and also a lot of the social changes that we are seeing,” Hill said.

Hill said she found Jane Goodall’s message of hope and purpose resonated most with her.

“It really challenged me to change my perspective and be more impactful and intentional,” Hill said.

During the presentation, Wagner said everyone can contribute to help curb plastic use.

“We as consumers can do more to limit plastic usage,” Wagner said.

The presentation covered everyday ways for people to decrease their plastic use by limiting single use plastics. These include carrying a reusable water bottle, bringing reusable bags to the grocery store and taking a mug to coffee houses.

Wagner said sustainability was a topic important to discuss especially with an audience that is mostly young adults.

“I think especially with college students, you guys are at that age where you’re making choices now, about how to get to campus, whether you take light rail or the bus,” Wagner said.

Lindsay Terzich, a 24-year-old film and media studies major, said the event introduced her to more female activists and helped her see that climate change is a collective issue.

“It’s not a women over men thing,” Terzich said. “It’s a community thing.”