 In 2006, the organization was named as an international Champion of the Earth by the United Nations Environment Programme.The Women’s Environment and Development Organization (WEDO), was founded in 1990 by two influential women, former United States Congresswoman Bella Abzug and Mim Kelber who was a feminist activist.Several pioneers have also contributed to the development of this organization such as Thais Corral, Jocelyn Dow, Wangari Maathai, Brownie Ledbetter, Chief Bisi Ogunleye, and Vandana Shiva.