My name is Melody, and in 1977, I became the first African American female forester in the United States. Breaking this barrier was not easy, and my journey has been marked by both triumph and unimaginable hardship. When filmmakers approached me about making a feature-length movie about my life, I saw an opportunity to share my story and shed light on the racism and abuse that still exist in natural resource professions today.

Throughout my career, I faced discrimination, harassment, and violence simply for doing the work I loved. I was raped, physically and emotionally harassed, assaulted, and suffered all kinds of abuse—experiences that, heartbreakingly, continue to this day. Even now, there are only six African American female foresters in the US, a number I had to obtain with the help of Senator Tim Kaine because the USDA Forest Service would not provide it. My story is not just my own; it represents the struggles of so many who are still fighting for equality and respect in their fields.

This film is more than a personal project—it is a call to action. With your support, we can produce this movie, enter it into film festivals to reach a wider audience, and travel to share it with communities across the country. Your contribution will help us finish the project and, most importantly, help stop racism in natural resource-related and other professions. I am deeply grateful for any support you can give. Together, we can make a difference and inspire lasting change.