City Council:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK,
HONORING CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS
FOR HER EXTRAORDINARY WORK
Whereas, the great City of Mount Vernon, NY joins together to recognize the extraordinary work, service, and leadership of CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS; and
Whereas, CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS is an internationally recognized environmental justice advocate, MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient, and acclaimed author who has dedicated her life to championing equitable access to clean water, sanitation, air, and soil for marginalized communities; and
Whereas, as the founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ), Ms. Flowers has led groundbreaking efforts towards advancing equitable access to clean water, air, sanitation, and soil, working tirelessly to reduce health and economic disparities in underserved rural communities. Her impactful leadership has earned her national recognition, including her appointment as Vice Chair of the Biden Administration’s inaugural White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. Ms. Flowers’ powerful voice has reached national and global audiences through features in major media outlets, including CBS’s 60 Minutes, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and PBS NewsHour; and
Whereas, Ms. Flowers’ contributions as a board member of leading environmental organizations and as Practitioner in Residence at Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment continue to inspire the next generation of environmental leaders. Through her compelling books Holy Ground and Waste: One Woman’s Fight Against America’s Dirty Secret, she has brought critical attention to the urgent need for environmental equity while inspiring a hopeful path forward; and Now Therefore, be it
Resolved, that the City Council joins with the citizens of the City of Mount Vernon, NY, to honor CATHERINE COLEMAN FLOWERS for her unwavering commitment to environmental and social justice, her visionary leadership, tireless and courageous advocacy, and her enduring legacy of hope, equity, and transformative change.