The WPOW Lena Grant is an award created by former WPOW co-director Molly Roberts to encourage the coverage of health care issues in the USA. It is given to honor the memory of Lena Wallace, Molly Roberts' great-grandmother, who lived with wonderful grace and compassion while suffering from debilitating rheumatoid arthritis.

On June 19, 2025, WPOW and Sony announced that the recipient of the 2025 WPOW Lena Grant is photojournalist Leah Millis.

Millis' project addresses the psychological effects of climate change — and how these consequences are already being felt by climate impacted communities. This project delves beyond eco-anxiety or climate depression and will provide insight and resources for people confronting the vast consequences of the climate emergency.

Millis is a Washington, D.C.-based independent photojournalist with 17 years of experience covering national and international news, politics, and in-depth human interest stories.

As winner of the Sony-sponsored grant, Millis will receive $3,000 and a Sony Alpha 9 III camera and FE 24-70mm GM II lens, courtesy of Sony.

WPOW and Sony are looking forward to being an early partner in helping to bring Millis’ project to fruition. More information and images from the project will be posted here as they become available.

We thank everyone who participated in the application for the WPOW Lena Grant.