Peggy Shepard

Co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice

Peggy Shepard is a prominent environmental justice advocate and the co-founder and executive director of WE ACT for Environmental Justice, an organization based in New York City.1 2

Career and Achievements

Shepard has a long history of organizing and engaging Northern Manhattan residents in community-based planning and campaigns to address environmental protection and health policy issues.1 2 She has successfully combined grassroots organizing, environmental advocacy, and community-based participatory research to become a national leader in advancing environmental policy and environmental justice in urban communities.2

Some of her notable achievements and positions include:

Co-chair of the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council2
Chair of the New York City Environmental Justice Advisory Board2
First female chair of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency2
Member of the Executive Committee of the National Black Environmental Justice Network2
Board member of the New York League of Conservation Voters3

Recognition and Awards

Shepard's work has received broad recognition, including:

Jane Jacobs Medal from the Rockefeller Foundation for Lifetime Achievement2 3
10th Annual Heinz Award For the Environment2 3
William K. Reilly Award for Environmental Leadership2
Knight of the National Order of Merit from the French Republic2 3
Dean's Distinguished Service Award from the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health2
Honorary Doctorates from Smith College and Lawrence University2 3

Background and Education

Shepard's career path has been diverse:

Initially worked as a journalist at the Indianapolis News, becoming their first African-American reporter3
Moved to New York in 1971 to work in publishing3
Held editorial roles at Black Enterprise magazine3
Worked in speechwriting for the New York state government3
Served as public relations director for the 1984 Jesse Jackson presidential campaign3

She received her BA in English from Howard University4 and also attended Solebury School and Newtown Friends School.4

Peggy Shepard has been a pioneering force in the environmental justice movement, working tirelessly to ensure that all communities, especially those historically marginalized, have the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.2 3