Sharon Cayette Lavigne, a native of St. James, Louisiana, boasts a distinguished 38-year career as a devoted Special Education teacher within the St. James Parish school system. In 2018, she embarked on a transformative journey by founding RISE St. James, a faith-based grassroots nonprofit dedicated to advocating for clean air, clean water, and combating the proliferation of petrochemical industries in St. James Parish. Despite humble beginnings, Sharon’s vision drew around ten passionate individuals to her inaugural gathering, hosted at her residence. Transitioning to retirement in 2018, Sharon’s unwavering commitment to environmental justice remains evident, guided by her principle: “To love a community is to find ways to heal the community.” Her tireless dedication garnered global recognition in June 2020 when she received the esteemed Goldman Environmental Prize for her resolute activism. Adding to her accolades, Sharon received the Mary Magdalene Award for Courageous Women of Faith from the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in February 2022, followed by the prestigious Notre Dame’s 2022 Laetare Medal—a testament to her invaluable contributions as an American Catholic layperson. In August 2022, the Urban League of Louisiana’s Annual Gala honored Sharon Lavigne’s indomitable spirit, solidifying her legacy. Amidst her remarkable achievements, Sharon remains a devoted mother of six and a cherished grandmother to twelve—a testament to the unwavering support she receives from her loving family. Sharon Lavigne’s story epitomizes tenacity, passion, and unwavering commitment to the environment and community, inspiring positive change.
St. James, Louisiana
When an international corporation wanted to drop a massive polluting factory right in her backyard, local resident Sharon Lavigne and her group Rise St. James decided to fight back. They live in a part of Louisiana coined “Cancer Alley” for the above-average rates of cancer there; the area is home to a high concentration of polluting industries. Despite this, the state has plans to expand this chemical corridor with dozens more factories. Rise St. James galvanized community opposition and successfully defeated the construction of a $1.25 billion plastics manufacturing plant in 2018. The group is currently fighting to prevent Formosa Plastics from building a massive multibillion-dollar plastics plant in the parish.
Learn More: https://risestjames.org/