Melody Mobley

Bio

Melody Mobley is the first African American professional forester in the USDA Forest Service. She attended the University of Washington in the mid to late '70s to study at the university's School of Environmental and Forest Sciences; graduating in 1979 with a BS in forest management, Mobley became the first black woman to graduate from the school in that field of study. Well aware of the lack of diversity in the field, Mobley has spent decades advocating for more women of color to work in forestry and for STEM Education resources and mentors to aid them in their journey. Mobley now spends much of her time volunteering in her local community by registering voters in underserved communities, teaching science and math in Arlington public schools, and serving as a DEI strategist for new and established organizations focused on environmental and social justice.

Reading Materials

Articles:

• A Black Woman Who Tried to Survive in the Dark, White Forest by Melody Mobley

  
  

• So, You're Non-White and You Really Want to Work for the US Forest Service? by Melody Mobley