Catherine Coleman Flowers: Championing Environmental Justice and Sanitation Reform

Snapshot

Catherine Coleman Flowers is an environmental and climate justice advocate dedicated to addressing inadequate waste and water sanitation infrastructure in rural communities across the United States. As the founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ), she has been instrumental in highlighting and combating the systemic neglect of sanitation services in predominantly African American and low-income areas.

Early Life and Education

Born and raised in Lowndes County, Alabama, Flowers witnessed firsthand the challenges posed by inadequate sanitation infrastructure. Her upbringing in a community lacking basic sanitation services fueled her passion for environmental justice. She served in the U.S. Air Force and later pursued higher education, focusing on environmental health and policy.

Career

Flowers’ career is marked by her relentless advocacy for equitable sanitation solutions. She has served on the boards of several organizations, including the Climate Reality Project and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). In 2020, she was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship, recognizing her innovative approach to environmental justice.

Sustainability Highlights and Focus

Flowers’ work centers on several key areas:

Advocacy for Sanitation Infrastructure: She brings national attention to the lack of proper waste and water sanitation in rural communities, emphasizing its impact on public health and quality of life.

Policy Reform: Flowers actively engages with policymakers to implement changes that ensure equitable access to sanitation services, aiming to rectify systemic inequalities. 

Community Empowerment: Through CREEJ, she empowers communities to advocate for their rights and work towards sustainable solutions to sanitation challenges.

Looking Ahead

Flowers continues to be a leading voice in the fight for environmental justice, focusing on the intersection of climate change, public health, and infrastructure. Her ongoing efforts aim to ensure that all communities, regardless of socioeconomic status, have access to essential sanitation services, contributing to a healthier and more equitable society.