Associated Press
NEW ORLEANS (AP). A former teacher of special education and environmental justice will receive the University of Notre Dame’s oldest prestigious honor for American Catholics. The university will present the Laetare medal
The university will present its Laetare Memorial to Rise St. James founder Sharon Lavigne during commencement ceremonies at South Bend, Indiana on May 15.
Sharon Lavigne has been tireless in her activism and has listened to God’s call to advocate for the well-being of her community and the planet. She also helped to end environmental degradation that oftendisproportionately affects communities of color. John I. Jenkins stated in a news release. Notre Dame gave her the Laetare Award to acknowledge her leadership and courage in being a champion of the environment, a voice on behalf of the marginalized, as well as a faithful servant of our Creator. In 2018, Rise St. James was created by Lavigne.
Rise St. James was founded by Lavigne in 2018, when plastics companies from Taiwanese and China announced plans for construction in St. James Parish. It is located between New Orleans, Baton Rouge and New Orleans. Wanhua Plastics had plans for a $1.25 Billion complex in Convent. Formosa Plastics received permits for a $9.4 Billion complex.
Wanhua said it had scaled down its plans and was looking to find another site.
A Pentagon official directed the Army Corps of Engineers last year to conduct an environmental study of Formosa Plastics Group member FGLA LLCs plans for 10 chemical plant and four other major facilities. The parish was also visited by Michael Regan, the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator.
EPA announced a pilot project in January that combines high-tech monitoring of air pollution with additional inspectors in three parishes including St. James Parish and St. John the Baptist Parish.
Since 1883, the Laetare medal has been awarded each year to a Catholic who has distinguished themselves in the arts and sciences, exemplified the ideals of God and contributed to the human heritage.
Other Louisiana recipients include it was presented in 2019 to Norman L. Francis, a retired president of Xavier University of Louisiana, and Aaron Neville in 2015. Sister Helen Prejean received it in 1996.
Lavigne stated that many people in her region believed it would not be beneficial to fight the chemical giants.
Why would they place the plant over here? Lavigne informed Notre Dame because they knew people wouldn’t speak out. They were right. The people were not going to speak up. God touched me that day and told me to fight.
Her parish has 32 of the 150+ petrochemical plants or refineries that run along the 85-mile stretch of the Mississippi River. Many of them are located in areas with a high proportion of Black residents and low income.
Lavigne stated that the Civil Rights Act and Louisiana Constitution are supposed protect Black communities against this type of environmental racism. Every permit that crosses their desks is stamped by our agencies.
Lavigne, who has been a member of St. James Catholic Church her whole life, said that her faith has buoyed and guided her through her journey. She also stated that her advocacy work has brought God closer to her.
Lavigne stated that he has me here because he knows I am there for a reason. I will do the work he asks me to. He made me fight for my life in ways I can’t even comprehend. I’ve become closer to him. I’m so happy to be closer to him, because now we can do anything.