The Resilient Activist (TRA) is an environmentalist organization based in Kansas City, Missouri. It supports community initiatives and therapeutic programs at the individual level directed to foster “resilience to environmental stress” and “vital ecological health.” 1
Sami Aaron founded the organization in 2018 to teach coping skills to environmental activists. Her son Kevin was an environmental activist who committed suicide at age 27. 2
Background
The Resilient Activist supports individuals and communities dealing with complexities of climate change by advocating for ecological health and personal well-being. The organization claims that by addressing the emotional toll of eco-anxiety, environmental grief, and burnout, it equips individuals with tools to find hope. 3
The Resilient Activist asserts that “environmentalists can protect and nourish the earth only when they are nourished themselves.” Thus, the organization says, “By teaching people how to self-tend, set boundaries, prioritize joy, and find a style of activism that is invigorating to them, we are transforming the environmental movement from the inside out.” 4
The group provides community-building activities, articles, stories, and programs it hopes will reduce the burnout that activists experience. 4
The organization teaches activists to let go and that no one can fix everything. The group also address “moral injury,” which it says results from activists knowing they consume products that contribute to climate destruction. 5
Most of the group’s online resources are free and include videos of guided meditation and research on the effect of climate-related emotional stress. TRA also has a speakers’ bureau and a program called Business for Good to inspire companies to be more environmentally focused. 5
TRA cites a 2010 report from the American Psychological Association titled “Interface Between Psychology and Global Climate Change.” It cites another APA study in 2017 titled “Mental Health and Our Changing Climate: Impacts, Implications, and Guidance.” 6 4 The studies included new diagnostic codes for mental health concerns related to climate change and environmental grief that were characterized as devastating emotional conditions. These terms include “ecoanxiety,” or anxiety about the planet; “pre-traumatic stress,” or knowing something horrible is coming, but not knowing when it will happen; and “solastalgia,” which is defined as pining for a lost environment. 4 2
The organization has a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policy that includes hosting a monthly Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Book Club meeting. It also promotes the Mighty Networks online platforms. 7
History
Sami Aaron is the founder and executive director of The Resilient Activist. In 2003, Aaron’s oldest son Kevin committed suicide at age 27. He had been an environmental activist, but battled depression for more than a year. She said her son told her, “There’s nothing I could possibly do to make any dent in this problem,” referring to global warming. He wrote in his journal: “I know all about sustainability, but I don’t know how to sustain myself.” 2
In grieving her son’s loss when she was 50, Aaron began doing yoga and performing other coping practices. Aaron met environmentalists in the Flint Hills of Kansas who also struggled with mental health issues like her son had. So, she decided to teach them the same coping strategies she had learned following her son’s death. 8 In 2018, she founded the Resilient Activist. 2
Leadership
As of 2025, Sami Aaron was the chair of the board and the executive director of the Resilient Activist. She is a retired software developer. 9 Aaron was recognized in August 2019 as a Climate Reality Leader through the Climate Reality Leadership Corps, a global network of activists. She is also a registered yoga teacher and specializes in meditation. She is the author of “The Gift of Compassion” published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. Aaron is a member of the coordinating committee of the Kansas City Conservation Equity Network. 10
As of 2025, Anne Melia was the vice chair and treasurer of the board. She is an environmental scientist. 9
As of 2025, Anna Graether was the secretary of the board. She was completing her Kansas Master Naturalist training and internship at the time, according to the Resilient Activist website as of April 2025. She is trained in commercial interior design. 9
Other board members included Briana Anderson, Sarah Mayerhofer, Megan Mulvaney, Magali Rojas, and Amy Schonhoff. 9
As of 2025, the professional advisory board consisted of Glenn Adams of the University of Kansas Department of Psychology; Barbara Gilbert, a clinical psychologist; Erik Hulse, retired from the Overland Park Police Department; Pam Hausner, a mindfulness meditation teacher; Trevor Lies, a social psychology Ph.D. student at the University of Kansas; Michelle Y. Merrill, coordinator for Scientist Rebellion Turtle Island; Tracy Ochester, a psychologist; Tyler D. Staples, licensed Master’s Level psychologist; Asuquo Udofia, lead consultant at L’AINE HR Services and managing partner at Quality Trust; Kayla Williams, a registered nurse; Debra Box, a leader in the Kansas City nonprofits for more than two decades; Christine Julian, owner of CJI Design Group; and Dena Klein, retired CEO of a public-relations company. 9
References
- “The Resilient Activist.” LinkedIn. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-resilient-activist/
- Dietz, Nina. “Climate Change ‘Burnout’ Is Taking Its Toll.” Inside Climate News. November 23, 2024. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://insideclimatenews.org/news/23112024/climate-change-burnout-taking-its-toll/
- “The Resilient Activist.” Volunteer Match. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.volunteermatch.org/search/org1256161.jsp
- “About.” The Resilient Activist. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.theresilientactivist.org/about/
- Bethell, Shawna. “Stay Resilient and Carry On.” Next Avenue. November 3, 2023. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.nextavenue.org/stay-resilient-and-carry-on/
- “The Resilient Activist.” Zoom Info. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.zoominfo.com/c/the-resilient-activist/546807603
- “The Resilient Activist Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement.” The Resilient Activist. Accessed April 2, 2025.https://www.theresilientactivist.org/diversity-policy/
- Smith, Alex. “After her son’s death, a Kansas City mother wants to make sure no more activists are lost to climate anxiety.” KCUR (NPR). October 7, 2021. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.kcur.org/health/2021-10-07/after-her-sons-death-a-kansas-city-mother-calls-on-climate-activists-to-take-care-of-their-mental-health
- “Our Team.” The Resilient Activist. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.theresilientactivist.org/about/our-team/
- “Our Team Founder.” The Resilient Activist. Accessed April 2, 2025. https://www.theresilientactivist.org/about/our-team-founder/