Born: 1989, Marshall Islands
Died: NA
Country most active: Marshall Islands
Also known as: NA
Kathy Jetn̄il-Kijiner, born in the Marshall Islands and raised in Hawaii, is a prominent poet and climate change activist. Her mother, Hilda Heine, served as the former President of the Marshall Islands. Kathy completed her B.A. at Mills College in California and further pursued an MA in Pacific Island Studies at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
Jetn̄il-Kijiner’s poetry resonates with powerful narratives, addressing environmental issues, notably climate change, and exploring themes of social justice, including colonialism, migration, and racism. In 2017, she achieved a milestone by publishing her debut poetry collection, “Iep Jāltok: Poems from a Marshallese Daughter,” recognized as the first poetry book authored by someone from the Marshall Islands.
Her commitment to environmental advocacy led her to co-found Jo-Jikum, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Marshallese youth in combating climate change. Alongside her activism, Kathy served as a faculty instructor at the College of the Marshall Islands.
Jetn̄il-Kijiner’s influence extends globally. She represented the Marshall Islands at the Poetry Parnassus Festival in London (2012) and delivered a poignant address at the United Nations Climate Summit in 2014 with her acclaimed piece, ‘Dear Matafele Peinem.’ Kathy continued to make significant contributions, speaking at COP21 in Paris (2015) and being recognized as one of Vogue magazine’s 13 Climate Warriors.
In addition to her environmental work, she showcased her artistic perspective at the Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT9) in 2018. Notably, she was selected as an Obama Asia Pacific Leader Fellow and MIT Director’s Media Lab Fellow in 2019.
Jetn̄il-Kijiner’s compelling story is featured in Naomi Hirahara’s anthology, “We Are Here: 30 Inspiring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Who Have Shaped the United States” (2022). Her journey reflects a dedication to environmental advocacy, a commitment to education, and a poetic voice that resonates globally.