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Catherine Coleman Flowers is a formidable force in the fight for environmental justice, particularly for rural communities facing the dual challenges of poverty and inadequate infrastructure. At Sustainable Stillwater MN, we honor her work as a powerful reminder of the need to address environmental racism and ensure that every community has access to clean water and healthy living conditions.
As the founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice (CREEJ) and the Alabama Center for Rural Enterprise Community Development Corporation (ACRE), Flowers has dedicated her career to solving water and sanitation crises in underserved rural areas. Growing up in Lowndes County, Alabama—an area plagued by poverty and failing infrastructure—she experienced firsthand the devastating impacts of environmental neglect. Her work has brought national attention to issues such as contaminated drinking water and inadequate waste treatment, which disproportionately affect communities of color.
In her research and advocacy, Flowers has documented how environmental racism systematically exposes vulnerable populations to toxic conditions. She explains,
“Environmental racism… intentionally exposing vulnerable communities to toxic conditions, deprives residents of the basic right to live in a clean, healthy, and safe environment.”
Her groundbreaking report, “Flushed and Forgotten: Sanitation and Wastewater in Rural Communities in the United States,” co-authored with partners at Columbia University and the UN Special Rapporteur, revealed the stark disparities in water access and sanitation that continue to trap rural communities in cycles of poverty and disease. Flowers has also spearheaded collaborations with researchers to document and address neglected diseases linked to inadequate sanitation—work that has prompted legislative action and broader public awareness.
For communities in Stillwater, MN, the lessons from Catherine Coleman Flowers resonate powerfully. Although our challenges may differ in scale, the principle remains the same: every community deserves equitable access to clean water and healthy living conditions. Sustainable Stillwater MN is committed to promoting local initiatives that enhance water quality, support community-led environmental projects, and ensure that our infrastructure is both sustainable and inclusive.
Flowers’ work challenges us to look beyond traditional environmental measures and consider the broader social factors that influence health and well-being. Her advocacy underscores the importance of community partnerships—between local government, nonprofits, and residents—to create lasting change.
Get Involved:
Inspired by Catherine Coleman Flowers? Join Sustainable Stillwater MN in our efforts to build a healthier, more equitable community. For more information on local water quality projects and other initiatives, please contact our DEI team leader, Ami Voeltz, at ami@sustainablestillwatermn.org.
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