Hazel Johnson spent her life fighting for environmental justice in black communities in Chicago’s Southeast Side. When she first started organizing in the 1970s after death and illness in her family, she quickly found that her work would be cut out for her. Bobby Rush, a Chicago congressman, has introduced legislation that would also posthumously award Johnson, known in many quarters as the “mother of environmental justice,” the Congressional Medal of Honor and her own postage stamp. Read on to learn more about her work and the impact it has had.
Here’s why Congress is recognizing Hazel M. Johnson, the ‘mother of environmental justice’

MORE RESOURCES:
Container Gardening with Native Plants
Presented by the Native Plants Community Join the Native Plants Community for a webinar on growing and displaying native plants...
READ MORE
BHS April 2026 – Practical De-Escalation Tools for Public Gardens
At BHS Insurance, we know that true protection goes far beyond a policy it starts with a proactive culture of...
READ MORE
APGA Collective Impact: Vital Information to Make the Case for YOUR Public Garden
Presented by American Public Association Staff (APGA, the Association) Every Spring, the Association conducts a survey of our nearly 600...
READ MORE
Ask An Expert: Guest Experience
Presented by the Emerging Professionals Community Join us for the latest installment of our Ask an Expert series, a live panel Q&A designed to go...
READ MORE

