22 Facts About Lois Gibbs

Lois Marie Gibbs was born on June 25,1951 and is an American environmental activist.

Lois Gibbs's actions resulted in the evacuation of over 800 families.

Lois Gibbs founded the non-profit Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste in 1981 to help train and support local activists with their environmental work.

Lois Gibbs continues to work with the organization, renamed the Center for Health, Environment, and Justice.

Lois Marie Gibbs was born in a blue-collar area of Grand Island, New York.

Lois Gibbs had five siblings that she grew up with; her father worked in steel mills and her mother was a housewife.

Lois Gibbs had two children and moved to Love Canal.

Lois Gibbs approached the School Board after worrying about the safety of her child, and they refused to take any action.

Lois Gibbs began speaking with other parents and in 1978, she started the Love Canal Parents Movement.

Lois Gibbs created a petition and reached out to the residents of her neighborhood by going door-to-door to gather support.

Lois Gibbs's efforts were centered on her role as a mother fighting to protect her children's health.

Lois Gibbs led her community in a battle against the local, state, and federal governments by presenting the signatures to the New York State Department of Health.

Lois Gibbs's efforts led to the creation of the US 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.

In 1980, Lois Gibbs formed the Citizens' Clearinghouse for Hazardous Waste, later renamed the Center for Health, Environment and Justice in 1998, where she currently serves as executive director.

Lois Gibbs has authored several books about the Love Canal story and the effects of toxic waste.

Lois Gibbs's story was dramatized in the 1982 made-for-TV movie Lois Gibbs: the Love Canal Story, in which she was played by Marsha Mason.

Lois Gibbs is still in partnership with the Center for Health, Environment and Justice.

Lois Gibbs has moved her point of activism to fracking, which she has published articles in The Huffington Post about.

Lois Gibbs is currently working with a group in Pennsylvania in order to gain more support on keeping the ground and water clean.

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

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

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.