Black History Month: Honoring Marjorie Richard

T4CI is saluting some of the most influential African-American environmentalists and sustainability professionals during Black History Month.

Today we honor Marjorie Richard.

Richard is the first African-American to win the esteemed Goldman Environmental Prize, after her nonstop battle with Shell Chemical whose refinery emissions were slowly killing her community members Norco, Louisiana.

Due to her outspoken advocacy,  Shell Chemical agreed to reduce its toxic emissions by 20 percent, contribute $5 million to a community development fund, and voluntarily finance the relocation of the area’s residents away from the refinery by buying the 225 lots at a minimum price of $80,000 per lot.