Meet a few of our Volunteer Coordinators.

As you may know, HWB is an all volunteer organization - meaning we do not have a single paid employee. So, as you can imagine, having volunteers that step up and dedicate themselves to a position is so important and needed. As volunteers, that means we all also have businesses, lives, families, and other things that need to be done - and yet we still find time to work with HWB because we know the work we are doing is important and needed. We usually have one primary full-time volunteer, but most volunteer when they can, from where they can, and how they can.  Since we are ALL volunteers, Coordinators need some self determination and drive to keep their roles active and relevant, create materials that relate to their coordinator position that can be shared, communicate and find ways to reach members and coordinators, or create projects such as webinars and outreach packets to support members.  We have so many great people that jump in and do their thing so we can keep growing, reaching, and supporting more people. 

With the pandemic and protests, we are having the busiest year ever, and we need coordinators that really step up to help so that we can continue to expand our programs, reach more people, and offer more support and resources to chapters, clinics, and projects around the globe. Any time anything happens at HWB, it is because someone spent precious time volunteering to do it. We appreciate all of our volunteers so much, and we literally would not be here without them. 

We want to introduce you to a few of our volunteers. 

---

Name: Rebecca Trinidad
Gender Pronoun: She/Her
Part of the World: Florida, US
HWB Role: Remote Office Coordinator, Chapter Coordinator
Favorite herb/plant/tree: Ashwagandha! I love that it’s centering - it’s an immunomodulator, for one, meaning that those with autoimmune disorders are typically not affected negatively. But I’ve found it to raise my mood when down and to calm me when my nerves were amped up. It’s my adaptogen of choice!  I notice if I fall out of compliance.

A little bit about me: I got my start in herbalism from self healing. I was on prescription medications that I wanted off of. Now I’m all herb, no prescription and I’m better for it. I love using my herbal allies to maintain my body’s wellness and resilience. I’m a Family Herbalist who’s finishing up her studies as a Clinical Herbalist.  Outside of herbalism, I’m studying psychology to become a healer of the mind while raising my son to what I hope is his highest potential.

---

---

​Name: Ravi
Gender Pronoun: She/They
Part of the World: Montana, USA (practically Canada...)
HWB Role: Grassroots Public Health Coordinator
Favorite herb/plant/tree: it's hard to pick a favorite, but currently we are working closely with Tulsi (Rama and Krishna varieties). This magical plant is a great ally for the immune system and also has a wonderfully grounding and calming effect. We pair it with lemon balm and stinging nettle for a daily, immune-boosting brew.

A little bit about me: We are an RN, a health educator, an herbalist, a yoga teacher, and an activist! We work in a variety of mediums, including hospital, studio, and Zoom. Passions include: reciprocal gardening/nurturing the Earth, finding the perfect song to pair with a yoga flow, outdoor sports with dogs, and, of course, talking about all things health and health-related.

---

---

Name: Tyshawn Knight -  the kids call me Aunt Ty 
Gender Pronoun: She/Her
Part of the World: United States
HWB Role: Educational Resource Coordinator
Favorite herb/plant/tree: My favorite herb is Cinnamon.  It is the first herb I used to help someone.  My grandmother was in the nursing home with C-Diff and she had dehydrated.  I made her Cinnamon tea and took her to the hospital.  The resident that saw her said I saved her life.  I was so happy.  That is when I knew I had to become an herbalist.

A little bit about me: I volunteer with Food Not Bombs and Frontline Services in Cleveland Ohio.  Before the Coronavirus outbreak I was providing their low income and homeless clients with Sanitary Napkins.  I am still a student therefore, I have not been recommending herbs.  I am working very hard to reach that point in January 2021.  I attend the Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism and I am studying Dr. Maciocia's books.  I prefer TCM over Western herbs because I like the fact that they teach an herbalist how to diagnose a person with the technology an herbalist was born with, eyes and hands instead of medical instruments a poor girl like me would never own.

---

---

​Name: Coral Weinstock
Gender Pronoun: they/ them/ theirs
Part of the World: Midwest/ New England / Appalachia 
HWB Role: Medicinal Seed Saving Coordinator 
Favorite herb/plant/tree: Oooh what a difficult question! Perhaps calendula, the first plant I ever saved seed from and such a cheery companion.

A little bit about me:
Hi y'all! My name is Coral. I'm a small-scale, organic farmer by trade who has been increasingly drawn to herbalism the past couple of years. My first exposure to plant magic was as a little one, watching my mother, a midwife, working in her herbal garden in the backyard and making teas for her clients. Since then, I've become passionate about the interconnected nature of plant and animal (including human) vitality and survival. 
​
I'm also queer/genderfluid, and a movement artist with particular fondness of contact improv and aerial arts. I've spent the past 9 months on the road with my partner, WWOOFing and exploring different ecologically and creatively minded communities. I am so excited by the work of HWB and am honored to become a part of this network!

---

---

​Name: Rose
Gender Pronoun: she/ her
Part of the World: Upper Great Lakes, USA
HWB Role: Membership Coordinator
Favorite plant: Violets offer beauty and peace in times of social isolation and quarantine. Their small stature belies a depth of understanding and empathy that is truly needed in these times of difficulty

A little bit about me:
Rose is the proprietor of Briar Rose Botanicals, which offers small batch herbal remedies and spiritual consultations. Her practice focuses on mushroom medicine, smoke cleansing, and Nordic herbalism, though American folk remedies factor heavily into her background.

Largely self taught and always learning, she has taken several classes through the Cornell Small Farms Program, including indoor mushroom cultivation and small business management and will be doing her herbalist apprenticeship at the North House Folk School this year. Rose also volunteers at a non-profit urban farm that grows organic produce to be delivered free to those with disabilities and chronic illnesses. In her free time, she can be found fermenting, foraging, or playing Animal Crossing.

---

​Name: Miriah Meiers
Part of the World: Colorado, Hawaii
HWB Role: HWB Newsletter Editor
A little about me: Adventure seeker, snowboarder, mountain climber, river rat, yogi, surfer wannabe, outdoor enthusiast. Writer, artist, activist, green medicine cratswoman, wondering explorer. 

I became a member and volunteer of Herbalists Without Borders in 2012 as the Healing Arts Project Coordinator, while living in Denver, Colorado.  In 2014, I began constructing the quarterly newsletters and have served as the editor since and love it. The early newsletters were constructed while I lived remotely from Northern California; off-the-grid, on the move, and usually without internet access! I currently reside in Telluride, Colorado. 

I’m striving to connect more with other Herbalists Without Borders globally on my travels and be an advocate writer on behalf of our non-profit, and freelance writer for other common causes. I truly support the humanitarian work of Herbalists Without Borders. I believe in humanity, and the moon and the stars. I’m passionate about protecting the Earth’s medicine and the rights to have access to it.

---

---

Name: Joanne Bauman
Gender Pronoun: She/Her
Part of the World: Kansas,USA
HWB Role: Community Herbal Apothecary & Kansas Coordinator
Favorite herb/plant/tree: Elder, St. Johns Wort and Yarrow and Cottonwood were the first plans I allied with and spent time communicating with while camping . Asking a fav is like asking which is a fav child to me.

A little bit about me: Joanne (Prairie Magic Herbals) is a Kansas wise woman herbalist, teacher, writer, herb grower and medicine-maker of 20 years. Let me teach you to connect with the plants, to appreciate and collaborate with them to empower your health. Joanne presents at The Mother Earth News Fair, podcast host Heirlooms & Herbals, and blog for Herbal Living. She also teaches at individual venues and herb conferences. My MS is in clinical psychology, health & rehab focus. Counseled those in physical rehab with numerous conditions--chronic pain, brain injury, COPD, orthopedic,neurological,etc.. Prairie Magic Herbals on Facebook

---

---

​Name: Janelle Farkas
Gender Pronoun: She/Her
Part of the World: Northeastern Pennsylvania, United States
HWB Role: Handouts Coordinator, Chapter Coordinator HWB NEPA
Favorite herb/plant/tree: Just one? That's tough. I'll have to go with a plant I've never worked with internally - ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora). When I first met ghost pipe, I just noticed a really cool looking plant very close to where I park my car. I didn't realize until much later that it had appeared during the tumultuous time I referenced in my "about me" and is a powerful ally for those in physical or emotional pain. It hasn't appeared in that spot since. Ghost pipe reminds me that plants are more than their constituents; they hold beautiful wisdom that science can't fathom.

A little bit about me: 
Hi, all! Starting with the fun stuff in introductions is, well, more fun! You'll find me outdoors whenever possible - biking, hiking, camping, music festivals…the list goes on. I also enjoy yoga, cooking, cuddling my cats, and learning. Managing the number of herbal courses and webinars I take at one time is an exercise in discipline! My road to herbs started, as it does for many people, during a time of personal struggle. I tried to address it at a physical level through yoga, which led me to acupuncture, and then herbs. Somewhere along the way I found the courage to face the fact that the root cause was emotional; though yoga/acupuncture/herbs could help, I would have to do the work to move forward. I came away from the experience stronger, happier, and with a deep appreciation for plants. The rest is history, as the saying goes, and I'm currently preparing to launch my herbal practice.

When I'm not immersed in herbs or adventuring outside, I work as an industrial engineer and have my B.S. in Industrial Engineering and M.S. in Engineering Management.

---

---

​Name: Shannon Renne
Pronoun: she/her
Part of the World: Madison, WI, USA
HWB Role: Madison area Chapter Coordinator, On-Site US Community Apothecary Support Person (When there is not a pandemic)
Favorite herb: YARROW!!!!
 
A little about me: Learning about the power of herbal medicine has changed the course of my life.  Not only have I become empowered to be present within my body and personal healing, I have been awakened to the awesome gifts of nature.  My passion is to share herbal knowledge and provide resources and information for those who have become disenchanted with our current state of health affairs and to provide alternatives for those without access to conventional means of healing and structures of support.

---

---

Name: Leslie Alexander
Gender Pronoun: she/her
Part of the World: Erie PA, USA
HWB Role: Education & Outreach Coordinator, Board Member, Chapter Coordinator
Favorite herb/plant/tree: Today? Today I’d say salt as my favorite herb. My favorite plant today is garlic. On many days, my favorite tree is mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)

A little bit about me:
Leslie Alexander PhD, RH is a clinical herbalist with a clinical community practice based in Erie, PA in the USA. Leslie focuses her holistic practice on the uses of medicinal and culinary herbs. She’s also passionate about herbs for the mouth and her book, Dental Herbalism: Natural Therapies for the Mouth, published by Inner Traditions in 2014, continues to draw a large readership.

Leslie is currently welcoming new students who are attracted to using herbs at home, with family and friends as well as those wanting to pursue herbalism as a career. She teaches locally, in person and online and when not out garbling herbs, she enjoys her canine pal, foods of all sorts, laughter and Tai Chi. Her classes are light-hearted, serious, full of tips, quirky facts and take-home applications of the uses of medicinal herbs. 

---

---

​Name: Denise Cusack
Gender Pronoun: She/Her
Part of the World: South Central Wisconsin, USA
HWB Role: Volunteer Executive Director, US Seed Bank & US Community Apothecary Coordinator
Favorite herb/plant/tree:  I have many, but I love how diverse basil (Ocimum spp) is. So many different flavors, aromas, uses, benefits, from lime basil to thai basil, from holy basil to blue spice basil - and I use holy basil often.

A little bit about me: I am an herbalist, bioregional aromatherapist, medicinal herb grower, small homesteader, permaculture enthusiast, plant conservationist, biodynamic grower, artist, foodie, unschooling parent, writer, and general maker of all the things. I live on a few acres in the country where we are restoring endangered woodland medicinals, as well as growing many natives, medicinal herbs, and food. I forage on my land every day. I always have a lot on my plate - from the day to day of HWB, to managing the US Community Apothecary and Seed Library, from volunteering as Clinical Herbalist with HWB free clinics, to taking care of my family and animals, from working with my bees and chicken,  to writing for magazines. I also serve on the Governing Council of the AHG as Secretary, volunteer with IM4US on the Membership Committee, and am active anywhere I can be regarding diversity and representation in herbalism, social and health justice, and plant conservation.

---

---

We also have a few other new Coordinators starting with HWB in various roles, including: 

Social Media Coordinator: Agatha Noveille
Grant Writing Support: Nicole Singh

We also get help from various volunteers to translate labels - 
Spanish Translation Support Coordinator: Alejandra Guerrero

THANK YOU for all you do. 

We are always In need of support - If you can help write letters to potential donors, proofread eGuide updates, interview coordinators for blog posts, help with the podcast series, help organize a webinar series, help update the website, contact schools and business for features, connect new Chapter Coordinators with others doing similar projects, or help translate postcards and print materials into other languages, etc., we need your help! Even a few hours a month can make a big difference. We always need people that can see a need and fill it, are self driven, and can work independently.

If you are Interested in supporting our all volunteer non-profit in any way, please email the office at officehwb@gmail.com. Thank you to all!