VACHERIE, La. — On this Earth Day, we shine a spotlight on environmental crusader Sharon Lavigne.
With petrochemical plants multiplying along the Mississippi River, the retired special education teacher and grandmother of 12 founded Rise St. James.
It’s a faith-based group, dedicated to stemming the growth of new polluting industry in what is referred to as Cancer Ally between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
“At one time we had clean air,” Lavigne told WWL Louisiana. “We had clean soil. You could plant a garden and walk out of your house into your garden and pick your fresh vegetables and we can’t do that anymore.”
There are about a dozen chemical plants within miles of Lavigne’s home on the west bank of St. James Parish.
This area has one of the highest concentrations of toxic chemicals in the country with a cancer rate 50 times greater than the national average according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Rise St. James is currently fighting the development of a nearly $10-billion Formosa Plastics Complex, just two miles from Lavigne’s home.
“I’m not just going to give up and let somebody come and take over our community and take over our homes,” Lavigne said. “So many people in St. James have expressed to me they are glad we are fighting, and they are behind us.”
Lavigne has now been recognized by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people in 2024.
We caught up with her in New York City, where she participated in an Earth Day panel discussion on the environment.
Lavigne called the recognition a surprise and an honor.
“I wasn’t looking to be what I am. I was just a normal person, trying to save the lives of the people that I live around and stop all of this cancer and asthma and sickness that’s going on.”
Lavigne says the Time Magazine recognition not only bolsters her own environmental activism in the River Parishes, but she says it also should encourage other ordinary citizens to take a stand for clean air, soil and water in their communities.
“I think it’s going to bring more awareness to what we’re doing about this fight that we have and we want to protect Mother Earth.”
Lavigne will receive her award during a special Time 100 gala on Thursday in New York.