Washington, D.C. - Maria Washington has worked for environmental groups such as Beyond Pesticides (founded as the National Coalition Against the Misuse of Pesticides), Greenpeace, and the United Church of Christ’s Environmental Justice Ministry. Ms. Washington earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science for the University of the District of Columbia and a Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a specialty in Instructional Technology Design and Development. She is currently working as an independent contractor designing green jobs training curriculum and serves on the Malcolm X Day Committee in Washington, DC. Inspired by the momentum of the green jobs movement, this year’s event and subsequent events will serve as a vehicle to teach low-income urban youth about the importance of healthy sustainable communities.