AWHC Staff on International Women's Day: The Significance of Wild Horses
March 8th marks International Women's Day, a time to celebrate the achievements and contributions of women worldwide. At American Wild Horse Conservation (formerly American Wild Horse Campaign), we asked our female team members, "Why did you choose to work in the wild horse advocacy field, and what do wild horses mean to you?" Their responses highlight the deep connection and commitment they have to these majestic creatures.
Amelia Perrin, Investigations Manager
I’ve been obsessed with wild horses since I was five years old. I even used to sell lemonade and painted rocks to raise money for wild horse sanctuaries. So when I got the chance to join AWHC’s team, I jumped at the opportunity! For me, seeing wild horses in their habitat is a life-changing experience, and that’s why AWHC works so hard to protect and preserve them for future generations.
Terri Ducay, Director of Development
They are majestic yet wild, loving yet fierce, gentle yet strong. They run with the wind.
Deb Walker, Field Manager
Wild Horses and Burros are the very symbols of America; Freedom, Strength, Wisdom ... they are the spirit of the west and have the right to be in their home habitat. Working toward saving these sentient beings is an honor, and I cannot think of much else I'd like to be in the fight for than saving these amazing beings.
Holly Gann, Director of Government Relations
This issue speaks to me deeply. It’s an injustice for wild horses and burros to be taken from their homes, separated from their families, and cruelly chased by helicopters. It’s animal abuse conducted by the government with our own tax dollars. Furthermore, the BLM’s “management” is simply wasteful and defies all common sense.
Equines have stood by us throughout history, they are a symbol of American freedom, and they deserve better. Congress is heavily focused on many large issues impacting our nation, like health care and immigration, and there are so many lobbyists and special interest groups working on these issues. Now our equines need their own passionate, dedicated advocates on Capitol Hill fighting for their interests.
Mary Koncel, Program Specialist
Oh, so many reasons for wanting to advocate for wild horses – and burros! Their beauty and grace, their iconic place in our history and on our western rangelands, their resilience in the face of endless adversity. And starting with Wild Horse Annie, it’s women who have led – and continue to lead – the fight to protect them. So, I’m also thrilled to be part of that tradition.
Suzanne Roy, Executive Director
I was shocked when I learned about the government’s mistreatment of wild horses and the completely nonsensical and unsustainable approach to managing them. I realized that the very future of these incredible national treasures was in jeopardy. I was drawn to the complex fight to save them and the larger mission – we’re not just saving two incredible species – we’re preserving a piece of our country’s history.
Wild horses are breathtakingly beautiful and majestic creatures who embody the ideal of wildness. Seeing them running free, living according to the laws of nature, not man, is an unforgettable experience. In a world where so much that is wild has been lost, saving the special corner of the West where wild horses still run free is a cause worth fighting for.