Lois Gibbs

Lois Marie Gibbs (born 1951) is an American environmental activist.

Lois Gibbs speaks to environmental groups who oppose sulfide mining near Lake Superior north of Marquette, MI

Gibbs's involvement in environmental causes began in 1978 when she discovered that her 7-year-old son's elementary school in Niagara Falls, New York was built on a toxic waste dump. The complete story was reported on and discovered by Niagara Gazette reporter Michael H. Brown. Subsequent investigation revealed that her entire neighborhood, Love Canal, had been built on top of this dump.^[1] With no prior experience in community activism, Gibbs organized her neighbors and formed the Love Canal Homeowners Association.^[2] She led her community in a battle against the local, state, and federal governments. After years of struggle, 833 families were eventually evacuated, and cleanup of Love Canal began. National press coverage made Lois Gibbs a household name. Her efforts also led to the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, or Superfund, which is used to locate and clean up toxic waste sites throughout the United States.^[3]

In 1980, Gibbs formed the Citizens' Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste, later renamed the Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), where she currently serves as Executive Director.^[4] CHEJ is a grassroots environmental crisis center that provides information, resources, technical assistance and training to community groups around the nation. CHEJ seeks to form strong local organizations in order to protect neighborhoods from exposure to hazardous wastes.^[4]

Gibbs has authored several books about the Love Canal story and the effects of toxic waste.^[5] Her story was dramatized in the 1982 made-for-TV movie Lois Gibbs: the Love Canal Story, in which she was played by Marsha Mason.^[6]

Awards and honors

• Awarded the Goldman Environmental Prize in 1990
• The 5th Annual Heinz Award in the Environment (1999)^[7]
• Awarded an honorary degree from Haverford College for her work as an environmental activist (2006)^[4]
• Received an honorary degree, a doctor of humane letters, from Green Mountain College (2009)

Gallery

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  Lois Gibbs speaks to environmental groups trying to stop sulfide mining near Marquette, MI

• 

  ”Mother of the Superfund” Lois Gibbs leads sulfide mining opponents on a march to the entrance of the Kennecott Eagle Minerals mine near Lake Superior and Big Bay, MI

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  Lois Gibbs stands at the entrance of the Kennecott Minerals sulfide mine under construction near Lake Superior and Big Bay, MI

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  Lois Gibbs joins a circle of mine opponents to sing, pray and strategize at the entrance to the Kennecott Minerals sulfide mine that is being built near Lake Superior close to Big Bay, MI

References

1. Verhovek, Sam How (August 5, 1988). "After 10 Years, the Trauma of Love Canal Continues". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
2. CHEJ About Lois Page
3. CHEJ Our Mission Page
4. CHEJ Staff Page
5. Worldcat results (books by and about her)
6. IMDB entry
7. The Heinz Awards, Lois Gibbs profile

External links

• Center for Health, Environment & Justice website