Linda Zhang was a determined young woman with a passion to save the world. She lived the statement – “be that one person” – knowing the power of one’s voice and actions to enact environmental change. Through her zero waste lifestyle, her influential writing, and insightful YouTube videos on sustainability, Linda inspired others to join her in protecting and preserving the planet for future generations.
Unable to shoulder the responsibility of saving the world, Linda, at age 18, ended her life last year, but her advocacy and legacy endures through the nonprofit Linda J. Zhang Memorial Foundation, created by her parents, Mingbao Zhang and Li Tang. Its mission is to help protect the environment and fight the climate crisis by raising awareness and promoting positive actions and behaviors. “Linda had a heart of pure gold. She cared about people, children, animals. When she saw environmental challenges she felt the urgency to act,” said Zhang. “We created the Foundation to spread the work Linda began and fulfill her wish that society – all of humanity – face the climate crisis and help make the world better by changing how we live and reducing our carbon footprint.”
Linda was devoted to her beliefs, shopping at thrift stores, teaching her parents how to live more environmentally-friendly, attending environment-related forums, and spearheading a campaign at Horace Greeley to replace bottled water with locally sourced water. To bring greater attention to her beliefs and the vital issues plaguing the world, Linda scheduled a letter to be mailed to the New York Times on the day after her death, explaining her desolate feelings, writing, ‘despite what we all know, the world still considers environmentalism to be something noble, something additional, rather than something necessary.’
Linda was heartsick and saddened that people failed to see what was happening in the world and felt she did not want to be part of it “reciting poetry even as the world is burning.’ Linda’s death placed the spotlight on how everyone needs to step up and have more empathy. “Everybody is busy with their daily lives, but our daughter was a thinker, a writer. She was way ahead of us in seeing what was happening. She was proud of her work with the environment and we were really proud of her,” said Zhang.
To strengthen the connection between Linda’s talent in writing and commitment to the environment, the first inaugural Linda J. Zhang Award for Writing Achievement was presented this summer to Horace Greeley High School senior Erica Dunne. “Linda was very creative, and we encouraged and supported her writing,” said her parents, noting Linda was a gifted writer, an honor student at the Hoff Barthelson music school, and was the recipient of numerous honors and regional and national awards for her writing, including a Scholastic gold medal in poetry in 2018 and a Claudia Ann Seaman Award for Fiction in 2019.
In addition, Linda was an alumnus of several major national workshops for young writers including the highly selective and prestigious Iowa Young Writers Studio and the Kenyon Young Writers Workshop. In addition, the Foundation also worked with Horace Greeley to set up the Linda J. Zhang Environmental Stewardship and Sustainability Award that is given annually to two graduating seniors in recognition of their outstanding leadership in environmental and sustainability issues and to encourage other students.
As the school year begins, Linda’s parents recall how their daughter loved school and enjoyed working at the Chappaqua Library as a student volunteer and later as a paid page until graduation, and teaching piano at a local charity music program for less-privileged children. To honor Linda, the library will be creating Linda’s Corner. “It will be a special place to encourage more young people to write, think about the environment, and use their talents to advocate like Linda did,” said Tang.
To appreciate her Asian-American heritage, in 2019 Linda traveled to a remote area in China to teach English, art, and music to elementary school children, she taught herself Korean language, and she appreciated Chinese art. “Linda was a curious person and always wanted to be part of bigger things. When she was little, every week we went to the library, and she always brought bags of books home. She always carried a notebook and put down her thoughts about people and places,” said Tang.
Through the Foundation Linda’s parents hope to mobilize others to do their part to save the world. “Before she brought these concepts to us, we didn’t realize it, but now we stop and think and you start making the change and it becomes part of your routine. By doing it we are reducing waste,” said Zhang. Linda asked others to respect the planet, be kind, and live a life of good intentions so future generations can thrive.
“Young people’s voices are strong. Linda cared passionately for the world and she could have done so much. We need to keep conversation about climate change alive and mobilize more people to spread the word,” said Zhang. “Linda wanted to do something meaningful and was always helping and advocating everywhere she could,” added Tang. “We really, really miss her.”
For more information on the Foundation, visit: https://lindazhangfoundation.org or https://www.facebook.com/LindaZhangFoundation/
Chappaqua Acts for the Environment
A group inspired by Linda, Chappaqua Acts for the Environment was founded by Chappaqua residents Susan Rubin, Tara Walsh, and Amy Barone. According to its website, its mission is to be emotionally supportive while delivering honest climate change information and education based on scientific facts and projections, and to provide survival skills through training and tools to the Chappaqua community. “So many people were devastated by Linda’s death and want to do something,” said Li Tang who does not want her daughter to have died in vain. Zhang agrees. “It’s bittersweet. This group will carry on her legacy. People are encouraged by her and will carry on what she started.”
If you ever found yourself lost in the wilderness, would you know what to do? The natural environment is a complex place and it takes knowledge, confidence, and first-hand experience to survive.
Overall the classes encourage participants to expand their world. “I try my best to get people to go outside of their comfort zone, to get dirty, hands-on, to ask lots of questions and be involved in the process,” he said. “I try to create the feeling of community, which I think is one the most essential parts of life.”
The group welcomes any age at any skill level. All that’s required is an interest in some form of needlework, such as knitting, quilting, crocheting, and weaving. The Knitting Circle began six years ago when a Westchester County resident posted a thread on Ravelry, a popular social media site for crafters, seeking fellow knitters interested in forming a group near Pleasantville. What began as a handful of women meeting at a local coffee shop now averages 60 members, ranging in ages from 20 to over 45. They meet every Wednesday at the Pleasantville Library in Pleasantville and every Monday and Thursday at the North Castle Public Library in Armonk. Suzanne credits Linda Hellisum, a charter member, for keeping the group flourishing. “She spent many Wednesday afternoons knitting by herself at the Black Cow in Pleasantville. It took several months for people to make the commitment to the group, but once that happened, we quickly outgrew the coffee shop. We went from meeting twice per month to weekly meetings, and have been meeting three times per week for the past two years,” explains Suzanne. 
Art brings people together, and The Knitting Circle is a gathering where members feel comfortable being themselves while sharing ideas and exploring new techniques. “We keep the conversation light and pleasant. Knitting in a group allows us to work on our own knitting and offer inspiration for each other. We teach each other what we know,” she says. “For a beginner, this is a terrific way to build skills and get inspiration in a more personal and intimate way than watching YouTube videos or reading craft blogs. For the person teaching the skill, it’s empowering to see someone benefit from sharing the skills that you have to offer.” 
“When you sit around the table and see what others are turning out it’s easy to tackle a skill you don’t have experience with. If you get stuck there are people to help. People who did that last week and it came out great. Or, you can teach someone who just decided to learn to try a simple cable or more complex stitch and watch the sense of accomplishment when they create something they thought was way beyond their ability,” she says.
Field trips to local events in the Hudson Valley are an added bonus. The group recently attended the Sheep & Wool Festival in Rhinebeck, New York and six knitters are planning a trip to the Shetland Islands. During the summer, Suzanne organized six Yarn Crawls to over 25 local yarn shops in CT, NJ, and the Hudson Valley. “They’re meant to be fun and educational,” she says. Additionally, some of the members contribute their knitted projects to charitable organizations such as Project Linus. 
Felicia mentions the popular trends are embellished yarns in addition to hand-dyed and speckled yarns used for ponchos, ruanas, shawls, and cowl head scarves. She notes knitters are moving away from basic scarves and blankets. “They’re working with various stitches on shawls, ponchos, and loose-fitting sweaters in luxurious fibers,” says Felicia. “If they’re knitting a blanket, it’s not ordinary. They’re working in multi-colors, stripes or working with exaggerated super chunky yarn.” 
Knitting offers immeasurable benefits to its paticipants. “It’s an affordable hobby that builds self-esteem. Improved health, social inclusion, networking, and friendship are just some of the reasons we get together as often as we do,” says Suzanne. “I really value the friendships I’ve made because of these knitting groups.”