ST. JAMES PARISH, La. — Environmental justice advocate and founder of Rise St. James, Sharon Lavigne, was named as '100 Most Influential People of 2024' by Times Magazine Wednesday.
Lavigne was included in the list of pioneers, among America Ferrera and others.
She is recognized for her work in bringing attention to environmental racism in "Cancer Alley", a part of southeast Louisiana between metro New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and home to at least 83 chemical plants the federal government has found it has some of the highest toxic emissions in the U.S.
The environmental activist started her nonprofit organization Rise St. James in 2018 and has been fighting for change in her community and others alike that have been polluted by chemical plants.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
