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Our Heroes
Hazel M. Johnson
2025 Environmental Justice Champion (Posthumously, received by her daughter, Cheryl Johnson): Any individual or organization incorporating the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies.
Hazel Johnson is the mother of the environmental justice movement. She dedicated years researching environmental issues in Altgeld Gardens and connecting industrial pollutants in the air, water and land to the negative health impacts in her community.
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