I Fight for Environmental Justice to Support Families Like Mine

Just 3 hours south of San Francisco, in Fresno, CA, I grew up thinking that it was normal for all kids to have asthma and that bad air quality was just a part of our everyday lives.

It wasn’t until I took an environmental justice course in high school that I realized much of what was normalized in my hometown — food deserts, my grandma working in unhealthy air conditions and days we couldn’t leave the house because of poor air quality — are actually injustices. I was inspired to advocate for communities, like mine, that face these environmental inequities first-hand. 

Seeing how effective Brightline is at bringing community organizations together and listening to community members in pushing for environmental justice, I knew this is where I wanted to make a career out of fighting for climate justice. The more I work here the more I admire Brightline’s approach to environmental justice, which emphasizes the people at the center of the movement. Community members know the needs of their communities best, so it’s up to us to collaborate with leaders on how to best leverage our expertise and resources to address injustices impacting their neighborhoods. 

Now, as Policy and Community Coordinator, I use data from Brightline’s Air Quality Monitoring Program to advocate for disadvantaged communities through policy work and support them in advocating for themselves.

I will never forget when I brought 7 Single Room Occupancy (SRO) tenant leaders to advocate for their community at a Bay Area Air Quality Management District public hearing. For years, SRO tenant leaders have been on the front lines of the movement to fight for the rights of tenants living in SRO hotels, a form of affordable housing that serves low to very low-income residents. It was an amazing experience to see SRO tenant leaders uplift the voices and concerns of their community to decision-makers.

To me, environmental justice means advocating for cleaner, safer, and more sustainable environments while ensuring all communities, no matter their backgrounds, have equitable access to resources. I am very fortunate to work towards this goal with other Brightline staff members who are just as passionate about environmental justice issues. 

Years after my environmental justice epiphany, working with Brightline and meeting community advocates, I have a lot of hope. Now, I want to be a part of bringing environmental justice back home to Fresno and to other communities facing injustices across California.