"Up against a daunting opponent,
Jackie believed in the fight, rallied the community,
and the government listened."
-Congressman Brian Higgins
Jackie James is an activist and educator with a passion for community driven citizen science. She is known for her persistent fight against known environmental polluter, the Tonawanda Coke Corporation. Because of her Bachelors work in Chemistry from SUNY Fredonia, citizen science was a natural fit when Jackie was called upon to defend her community. Using citizen-led data collection, she encouraged her neighbors to take air samples, later bringing that data to the EPA. This small action began one of the largest environmental pollution case in US history.
Jackie is known for her grit, having fought 16 years on behalf of her community, as well as her strong instincts. Combining community stories with facts, science, and interpersonal relationship skills, she was able to do the unimaginable—unify community members, elected officials, and government agency representatives against a destructible company and its environmental manager, bringing them to justice.
Today, Jackie remains an advocate for combining science and activism, and leads Citizen Science Community Resources, a WNY-based nonprofit committed to environmental health and justice. Her vision is to bring tools and the lessons learned through her 16 year fight to those in search for how to use science for action.
“In visiting my class, Jackie lit a fire under all 180 of my life sciences students. Through detailing her work, students were able to understand the need for community-driven citizen science and came to appreciate how much work it takes to make meaningful changes. As they graduate and start advancing public interest science, her insights will help them build the kinds of authentic relationships with communities that are necessary for equitable, accountable, and justice-oriented science. ”
~ Nick Shapiro, PHD. Assistant Professor, UCLA Institute for Society and Genetics
“By working together in a collaborative manner, we (Jackie and I) developed the necessary trust with the community and the elected officials to get things done right in a sound scientific manner. Not being adversarial, goes a long way. When the public meetings got hot, Jackie always stood up and calmed things down. I really appreciated those moments.”
~ Tom Gentile, Chief, Air Toxics Division, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Certificates of Recognitions:
Town of Tonawanda Town Board
For efforts as a "Clean Air advocate" (2012)
Erie County Legislature
For work in fighting on behalf of the citizens to improve the air quality of the community (2011)
Wellness Institute Hall of Fame
Recognizing dedication, passion, and hard work (2018)
Awards:
US Environmental Protection Agency
Environmental Quality Award (2014)
YWCA of the Tonawanda's
Community Service Award (2013)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo
Religious Education Person of the Year (2011-2012)
SUNY Fredonia Alumni Statement Magazine
Feature Article: "Clean Air Crusader"
Jackie James, '85, leads efforts to slash toxic emissions in WNY
(Spring 2018)
I am so grateful for your perseverance with Tonawanda Coke. It is such a blessing to not smell or see smoke coming out of the stacks. The sicknesses aren’t going away, but at least they can’t hurt any new people with their pollution.
-Shannon Spencer, Resident
She garnered respect in the department from scientists, and we ended up working very well together.
The only way forward is everyone pulling in the same way.
-Alfred Carlacci, Retired NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Regional Engineer
