February 24, 2022
We were so honored to host some of the world's leading Environmental Justice leaders at our inaugural story salon in San Francisco at Shack 15. Our esteemed lineup included:
Sharon Lavigne, a retired special needs teacher in St. James Parish, Louisiana is the founder of the faith based environmental justice group Rise St. James. She was named the 2021 North American winner of the Goldman for fighting to keep multibillion dollar chemical plants out of her already polluted community in the heart of an area dubbed “Cancer Alley.”
Patrice Simms, a highly accomplished environmental attorney and thought leader, who has spent twenty-five years in the environmental law arena as an advocate, academic, attorney and policymaker. Patrice currently serves as the Vice President of Litigation for Healthy Communities with Earth Justice and our Co-Founder and Strategic Advisor.
Tricia Cortez, the Executive Director of an environmental advocacy group Rio Grande International Study Center based in Laredo, Texas. In her work to protect Laredo’s lifeblood, the Rio Grande river, she defeated the Trump administration’s plans to build a border wall through it. In 2019, Tricia was named Laraedoan of the year.
Photographer credit: Brea Parks
