Author, filmmaker and environmental activist John de Graaf to share latest documentary on campus Nov. 10

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Author, filmmaker and environmental activist John de Graaf to share latest documentary on campus Nov. 10

November 6, 2025

The Margaret Aiken Speaker Series and Department of Health and Human Development, bring the distinguished author, filmmaker, and environmental activist John de Graaf to campus on November 10th, 2025, from 1-3 p.m. in the Wilson Library Reading Room (WL 480).

de Graaf will present the short documentary "From Sea to Shining Sea: Katherine Lee Bates and the Story of America the Beautiful" with a discussion to follow.

John de Graaf's mission is "to help foster a happy, healthy, and sustainable quality of life for America", a focus directly relevant to the core themes of both our courses. As Professor Emeritus Charles Sylvester of Western Washington University notes, Mr. de Graaf's body of work-including his award-winning documentaries, books, and tireless activism-has "made an indelibly lasting difference."

John's professional background is truly remarkable. For more than forty years, he has been producing and directing documentaries for public television, crafting over fifty films that have garnered more than 100 regional, national, and international awards. Fifteen of his documentaries, notably the popular special Affluenza, have been broadcast nationally in primetime on PBS, and his work has been celebrated by critics, including John Corry of The New York Times. Furthermore, his contribution to the field is recognized through the annual John de Graaf Environmental Filmmaking Award.

Beyond his influential screen work, he is the co-author of four highly regarded books, including the international best-seller Affluenza, which has sold over 160,000 copies in nine languages. His other major works, such as Take Back Your Time, What's the Economy for, Anyway?, and Happiness, Well-being and Sustainability, demonstrate his consistent, powerful voice advocating for progressive, quality-of-life-focused causes.

The Margaret Aitken Speaker Series scholarship honors Margaret Aitken, who taught at Western for 38 years and was the Physical Education Department Chair from 1964 to 1980 [now named the Department of Health and Human Development (HHD)]. Each year the speaker series fund is used to bring speakers to WWU that inspire students and reflect the mission of the HHD to "educate individuals to improve personal and community wellness and quality of life through human movement, health, and leisure experiences."