Really good things can happen over dinner. Place Alice Waters, Margaret O’Leary, Andre Carothers, Annie Leonard, Shannon O’Leary Joy (no relation to Margaret) and Jane Fonda, yes, the Jane Fonda, at a table at Chez Panisse and — big things can happen. Each guest is a powerhouse on their own: Margaret O’Leary created her eponymous nationwide fashion brand 35 years ago; an avid protector of the ocean, Shannon has many board roles, including for Mission Blue/Sylvia Earle Alliance; Leonard and Carothers have collaborated on various projects in the sustainability space, such as the viral animated movie called The Story of Stuff and Greenpeace USA. Now Leonard partners with Jane Fonda, who at 86 is devoting herself to fighting climate change.
As the conversation turned towards supporting Jane’s efforts in climate change awareness, a limited-edition Margaret O’Leary poncho was born, aptly named Jane Poncho, and debuted at a Bonnie Raitt concert months later, with proceeds going to The Jane Fonda Climate Solutions Fund at the Marin Community Foundation. Here’s the scoop.
Why a poncho?
O’Leary: Jane has been looking great in ponchos for years, and I love that they are one size fits all. We sourced the best organic cotton from Peru and Egypt because it’s lightweight and people have allergies. Cotton is also very breathable and doesn’t have that synthetic feeling.
Fonda: I fell in love with ponchos when I spent a lot of time riding horses in Patagonia with my favorite ex-husband. Plus it’s a great Christmas present for people, and you don’t have to worry “Oh, is it going to fit them?” I’m excited to do this collaboration because I’ve loved Margaret’s cashmere for years, and just last year, I did all of my Christmas shopping at her Santa Monica location.
A bit about the fund?
Fonda: I also have a PAC that is geared towards elected officials. However, the Jane Poncho proceeds will kick off this fund which is different. The Jane Fonda Climate Solutions Fund at the Marin Community Foundation will be able to give C3 money to any person or organization who is working on the climate crisis. My team and I meet and collaborate with organizations across the country who are working to stop polluting fossil fuels and advance solutions. We are thrilled to have this fund to be able to support organizations making a difference.
What criteria do you use in choosing grantees?
Fonda: I particularly pay attention to whether they understand that time is of the essence. Lately people have been saying, “You must be in favor of nuclear energy, right?” Because it provides power with no emissions. Since it takes at least at least 10 years to build a nuclear plant, it’s not going to be the solution to the climate crisis. We need to move right now.
Can others donate to the fund?
Fonda: We would love that. If someone wants to donate, they can contact Annie at [email protected] or Andrea Henderson at Marin Community Foundation [email protected]. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of donations go to organizations working for climate solutions.
Why Marin Community Foundation?
Fonda: For one thing, climate justice is part of their new strategy. The alliance was a perfect fit. However, there’s more of a logistical reason. Marin Community Foundation is hosting the Jane Fonda Climate Solutions Fund. In order to ensure donations to the fund are tax deductible, we needed a 501(c)(3) infrastructure, and also there are a number of compliance and reporting issues. MCF takes care of all that for its hosted funds.
What do you get excited about?
We have to get people elected who are climate champions. Here in California, so much of the really good legislation that would have solved the problem a decade ago gets stopped because elected California Democrats as well as Republicans take money from the fossil fuel industry. It’s been better lately, but it’s a problem. We understand it needs to be a gradual phasing out so that by the middle of the century, we are at zero. This means no new drilling, no new fracking — we have enough. It won’t be easy, since oil companies are still trying to drill up and down California. We have to stop them. There are so many health issues on the rise because of air pollution. We live in a soup of pollution, and a lot of it comes from fossil fuels.
Details
The Jane Poncho retails for $295 and is available at the downtown Mill Valley, Margaret O’Leary store, or online at margaretoleary.com while supplies last.
Mimi Towle has been the editor of Marin Magazine for over a decade. She lived with her family in Sycamore Park and Strawberry and thoroughly enjoyed raising two daughters in the mayhem of Marin’s youth sports; soccer, swim, volleyball, ballet, hip hop, gymnastics and many many hours spent at Miwok Stables. Her community involvements include volunteering at her daughter’s schools, coaching soccer and volleyball (glorified snack mom), being on the board of both Richardson Bay Audubon Center. Currently residing on a floating home in Sausalito, she enjoys all water activity, including learning how to steer a 6-person canoe for the Tamalpais Outrigger Canoe Club. Born and raised in Hawaii, her fondness for the islands has on occasion made its way into the pages of the magazine.
