Peggy Oki
on Skateboarding, Surf and Artivism for Cetaceans
Lucky number 12
The story of Z-Boys started in 1970 with a surf team that quickly transitioned into a competitive skate team. Their style was unique: a mix of aggression combined with a flowy surf mannerism. Eleven of the members were boys. The twelfth was a girl named Peggy Oki. Little did she know back then that her choice to become a part of the group was going to change the course of history: https://lnkd.in/d8ev8nVW
Peggy defied the stereotypical “skater image”: she showed the world that this sport doesn’t have to be a male-dominated narrative. Powerful yet calm, both on land and in the water, her unique energy was the main differentiator. She was featured in the famous documentary Dogtown & Z Boys and inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame.
As a long-time surfer who loved cetaceans, Peggy wanted to learn more about them. She went to UC Santa Barbara to study environmental biology. Unfortunately, one of the things she discovered was also the complexity of human activities that were killing these magical creatures. Peggy signed up for a life mission: saving these fascinating creatures that are a source of inspiration to her.
An artist, educator, and environmental activist, Peggy has been an advocate for cetacean rights and protections for 40+ years: “There is so much beauty and life on Earth, we are blessed!” As a speaker, she inspires us to go after our purpose: “When people move into action, they give back the gift of empowerment and hope. We need to see more of that in the world!” Art is her business card, a direct reflection of her love and dedication to our oceans and its amazing creatures: “Art is a universal language, visually drawing us and communicating our concerns. I am inspired by how kids care. I love finding artistic ways to get them stoked and involved. Engaging and empowering children is great, as I sometimes feel alone in the sense that there is hardly anybody who seems to care!”
A significant experience was a wave-catching moment when a whale was “spy hopping”, looking at her, eye to eye, trying to tell her something. Peggy’s memory brought to the surface a Japanese folk legend that says "If you can fold a thousand origami cranes, the gods might grant your wish." The Origami Whales Project, one of Peggy’s biggest wishes, was created to raise awareness of the threats whales are facing through a stunning and memorable "Curtain of 28,000 Origami Whales." A powerful visual statement and memorial created by thousands of concerned citizens across the globe for whales killed since the 1986 commercial whaling moratorium.
Read Peggy’s answers for Inspirators and surf the waves of your unique energy: “Learn when your mind needs to be quiet and grant yourself that by doing things that give you balance!”
Thank you, Peggy, for being a Skateboarding Icon!
#INSPIRATORS QUESTIONNAIRE
Name: Peggy Oki
Company / Institution: Origami Whales Project and Cetaceans.org
Title: Founder & Director; Co-Founder
Website: www.origamiwhalesproject.org and www.cetaceans.org
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peggy-oki-04177318a/
Country of origin: USA
Country you currently live in: USA
Your personal definition of Regeneration: Humans taking responsibility to live sustainably as a part of, and not separate from this planet.
Main business challenge you face: Self-promotion!
Main driver that keeps you going: Continuing to live my purpose which is to be a voice for Cetaceans and this incredible planet and our fellow Beings.
The trait you are most proud of in yourself: Integrity.
The trait you most value in others: Integrity.
Passions & little things that bring you joy: My encounters with animals!
The Inspirators who determined you to take the regenerative path:
Jacques Cousteau
Jane Goodall
A hint or starting point for companies or professionals that are taking the first steps in the regeneration journey: Always be true to your values and to what you love! Think of how you can create change for the better.
Most used and abused clichés in sustainability that bother you: I can’t think of any cliches at this time. The impacts of animal agriculture on wildlife and the environment are undeniably detrimental. So, what bothers me is people who claim to care very much about wildlife and/or the environment, while continuing with an omnivorous vs. vegan diet.
An honest piece of advice for young people who lose hope:
Dalai Lama XIV's prayer!
“NEVER GIVE UP
No matter what is going on
Never give up
Develop the heart
Too much energy in your country
Is spent developing the mind
Instead of the heart
Be compassionate
Not just to your friends
But to everyone
Be compassionate
Work for peace
In your heart and in the world
Work for peace
And I say again
Never give up
No matter what is going on around you
Never give up”
Books that had a great impact on you:
King Solomon’s Ring by Konrad Lorenz
Beluga: A Farewell to Whales by Pierre Beland
Movies or Documentaries you would watch all over again:
Movies: “E.T.”, “Kung Fu Hustle”, “Whale Rider”
Documentaries:”Eating Our Way to Extinction”, “Seaspiracy”; "Dogtown & Z Boys"
Music that makes you (and your heart) sing: “Sunshine of My Life” - Stevie Wonder
Places you travelled to that left a mark on you: Fiji.
Global Regenerative Voices you recommend us to follow: Cowspiracy, Seaspiracy, Plant-Based News.
Trends in Regeneration we should keep an eye on: Vegan alternative foods and products!
“Entanglement ~ a Double Disaster” with Smithsonian Institute. Photo Credit: Phillip R. Lee
Events we should attend: Vegan festivals.
Associations, business clubs, tribes you belong to – and why:
Centre for Biological Diversity - because this organization addresses aspects affecting environmental concerns for the planet. Primarily high-impact topics such as overpopulation and animal agriculture which are key drivers of the problems on Earth. Also, the organization works in creative and positive ways to raise appreciation for various species that make this planet so special.
Reasons to feel optimistic about our future in 2030: There seems to be more people choosing a vegan diet.
Reasons to feel pessimistic about our future in 2030: Despite more people choosing a vegan diet, it seems that there are still so many humans unwilling to live by the fact that a plant-based (vegan) diet makes one of the most significant impacts to reduce our environmental footprint. These impacts include greenhouse gas emissions, water use and water pollution, and deforestation/habitat loss.
Regenerative Leadership qualities much needed today: Raising awareness and increasing love and appreciation leading to taking action for our Earth.
The quote that inspires you:
“Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” (Martin Luther King Jr.)
Your own quote that will inspire us:
