Susan Rockefeller is Rock Solid

Longstanding “creative conservationist” Susan Rockefeller uses the power of documentary filmmaking, photography, storytelling and design to inspire awareness and mobilize action across a wide range of environmental, social and philanthropic groups.  Deeply committed to nurturing our environment, and creating a better world through family, art, and nature, Rockefeller serves as Chair of Oceana’s Ocean Council, and is an active force in the We Are Family Foundation, Stone Barns Center for Agriculture, Americans for the Arts and National Resources Defense Council.

Embracing the motto “Protect What is Precious,” Rockefeller recently founded “sR,” a social innovation and lifestyle brand that seeks to gracefully draw consumers away from our society’s “on-the-go” mentality and remind them of what it is they hold dear. The sR brand, featuring Susan Rockefeller’s new “Dive Deep” fine jewelry collection promotes the concepts of s(Rest) s(Rejuvenation) and (s)Reimagination; highlights the need for balance in both our natural world and our personal lives. Today she speaks to PINK about her dreams, faith and lesson plans.

Q: Business person, public speaker, designer, friend, counselor or… which title best describes you? Mother is the best title. It connects me to all mothers globally as well as the miracle and journey of nurturing another life. Mothers can best make the point that the environment is not an external luxury rather is what our children deserve. We don’t want our children to go to war; our hearts ache for peace so that they can grow to their highest potential. Perhaps it’s the female impulse to protect that I see as a powerful part of a mother’s DNA. This can manifest in a variety of ways. For instance, when I feed my child a fish I do everything possible to make sure it’s safe. And that there will be more safe and nutritious fish yet to come. And that the water from the tap won’t be polluted. I’m not alone in this desire. Most often women everywhere are the fiercest protectors of children and also of their global sisters, wanting to protect the health and well being of all families. Mothers also include women who have animals as their ‘children’ with the urge to nurture and protect!

Q: Is there a specific person or persons who helped pave your current walk? My parents who gave me a loving and wholesome environment to grow and explore my passions. I believe in nature and nurture—kindness and love along with the developmental challenges that life presents to us create the foundation for flexibility as well as strength in this complex world of ours. Deep gratitude to my family.

Q: What part of your life’s journey helps illustrate your current story? It’s a combination of early memories on the shores of the eastern end of Long Island. Loving the ocean waves and sun salt and sand, discovering sea shells and horseshoe crabs, etc). Along with spending summers in Maine—the scent of pine and the softness of pine needles blanketing the ground. Also my mom’s love of Native American crafts and culture and my father’s insatiable curiosity created a home environment that valued family, art and nature, which is what I work so hard to protect

Q: How do you dream at night? I go through phases where I remember my dreams and other times when it’s a complete blank. In my experience my dreams mirror my outer world. I believe dreams can help one in understanding what lies beneath the busyness of our lives. Like layers of an onion. When we pay attention we get closer to a core part of who we are. Doing so takes time, patience, attention and, for me, personal tolerance for where I am in my life. If I don’t have the bandwidth to take on more, sometimes my dreams will be fraught with anxiety, or I won’t remember them at all. Other times they point me in the direction of my spiritual path, especially when my dreams find me in beautiful waters!

Q: Do you cling onto a specific faith? I believe strongly in following the Ten Commandments. I had a spiritual teacher who said simply that following the Ten Commandments will give you ‘ease’ in life and good health. Not following them will give you ‘disease.’ I also believe that all sentient beings have an essence, that we’re imbued with this magical and remarkable life force. The older I get the more sacred all life is to me.

Q: What would you address at a Woman’s Conference; can you provide three mini-lessons? To protect what is precious—for me family, art, and nature. You can do this by taking the “Three R’s” to heart, which is the essence the Modern Mermaid. Rest: When we rest we can give back to ourselves and simply allow time for health and healing.