Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has always been a guiding light for me due to his unwavering commitment to justice for all. Just as Dr. King stood for those oppressed by systemic injustices, I feel compelled to stand for communities most affected by environmental harm—especially those that bear the heaviest burden of pollution. His call for justice and standing up for the voiceless has been a constant inspiration, urging me to fight for the health of our planet and future generations. It guides my commitment to environmental justice.
I come from a family steeped in service to our country. I’m a disabled Air Force veteran and the daughter, wife, and mother of veterans. My family, inspired by Dr. King’s example, has always believed in standing up for the marginalized and voiceless. This spirit of service drives my work today as Moms’ Georgia Field Organizer.
Dr. King’s vision of justice was never limited to one issue. He fought against systemic racism, poverty, and the structures that perpetuate inequality. For me, environmental justice is inseparable from his legacy of fighting for the voiceless. Like Dr. King, I fight for the most vulnerable—those already burdened by poverty, racial inequality, and now environmental harm. These communities bear the heaviest burden of pollution, extreme weather, and toxic practices.
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Pollution doesn’t discriminate; it harms people of all backgrounds, but it hits hardest in communities that lack the political power to demand change. Dr. King taught us that “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It’s this belief that fuels my fight. I cannot stand by while communities—many of them people of color—suffer from environmental degradation, just as I could not stand by when people were denied their civil rights.
My experience as a disabled veteran gives me a unique perspective. I understand adversity and resilience. There’s also a unique intersection between military service and environmental health. The toxic chemicals we encountered abroad in service continue to poison the land and people back home. Many of us veterans return home to find ourselves fighting another battle against the very pollution that harms the land we swore to protect. I see Dr. King’s call for moral leadership echoed in this fight for environmental justice. I’m proud to carry it forward.
I believe that advocating for clean air and climate justice is not just a political issue; it is a moral imperative. As a grandmother, I cannot accept a world where my grandson, or anyone’s children, breathe toxic air. Dr. King said, “The time is always right to do what is right.” This Martin Luther King Jr. Day, as California sifts through ashes and thinks about rebuilding broken lives and as a new administration that does not believe in global warming and its impacts on wildfires and extreme weather takes over—now is clearly the time for all of us to take action, ensuring a future that prioritizes clean air, water, and a safe environment.
As I look to the future, I am reminded of Dr. King’s call to “keep moving forward,” even when the path is difficult. We cannot rest until every child has the right to breathe clean air. We cannot rest until communities that have borne the brunt of environmental injustice have the power to demand change. The fight for justice is never easy, but as Dr. King said, “We must accept finite disappointment, but never lose infinite hope.”
Today, I urge you to join me in this fight. Dr. King taught us that justice requires action. Together, we can protect our communities and children by demanding stronger environmental safeguards and holding our leaders accountable. Whether it’s signing petitions, contacting local legislators, or leading efforts in your community to fight pollution, we all have a role to play in honoring Dr. King’s legacy by fighting for justice—not just in the streets, but in the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the world we leave behind. Together, we can build a healthier, more just world for future generations.