Celebrating Women’s History Month at the ReBuilding Center
March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the leadership, innovation, and persistence of women shaping our communities and our future.
At the ReBuilding Center, we are inspired by the many women working across the circular economy who are advancing reuse, reducing waste, and reimagining how materials move through our world.
The circular economy is not just about materials. It is about systems, values, and leadership. Women across the reuse sector have been instrumental in building these systems long before the term circular economy became widely used.
Here are just a few leaders whose work continues to inspire the global reuse movement.
Ellen MacArthur
Former professional sailor Ellen MacArthur founded the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which has become one of the most influential organizations advancing the circular economy worldwide.
Her work helped bring the concept of circular design into global conversations about climate, manufacturing, and resource use. Today, the foundation partners with governments, businesses, and nonprofits to accelerate the transition from a take make waste economy to one built on regeneration and reuse.
Mary Ellen Etienne
Mary Ellen Etienne has been a longtime advocate for building material reuse and deconstruction, helping elevate reuse as a practical strategy for reducing waste and creating local economic opportunity.
Her work has supported organizations across North America working to divert materials from landfills while expanding access to affordable building supplies. These values strongly align with the mission of the ReBuilding Center.
Crystal Dreisbach
Crystal Dreisbach, founder of Don’t Waste Durham, has been a leading voice in community centered circular economy initiatives.
Her work demonstrates how reuse systems can address climate impact, economic opportunity, and community resilience at the same time.
Women in Reuse Right Here in Portland
While many leaders in the circular economy operate on national or global stages, some of the most important work happens right here in our communities.
At the ReBuilding Center, women play critical roles across our organization from leadership and education to retail operations, volunteer engagement, and community partnerships. Their work helps keep thousands of pounds of materials in use every week while making reuse accessible to builders, artists, homeowners, and neighbors across Portland.
Reuse is practical climate action. It is also deeply community driven work built through collaboration, creativity, and care.
Looking Ahead
As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we are also preparing to launch our Circulation Campaign, a new initiative focused on strengthening the systems that keep materials moving through our community instead of heading to the landfill.
In a circular economy, nothing stands alone. Materials, people, and ideas move in cycles. Every person who participates helps keep that system alive.
We are grateful for the women who have helped lead this movement and for everyone in our community who continues to build a future where reuse is the norm.