Alumna Award Spotlight
Marylee McAlpine Orr '68
Mother Shannon Changemaker Award Winner 

Marylee Orr began her advocacy work in 1984 when she founded Mothers Against Air Pollution, a grassroots effort driven by her concern for the environment after her son was born with a severe respiratory illness. This personal experience opened her eyes to the dangers of air quality issues, particularly for vulnerable populations. She quickly became a leader in raising awareness about environmental justice in Louisiana’s industrial corridor, fighting for minority communities disproportionately affected by pollution. Her early efforts culminated in a significant victory preventing the burning of toxic PCBs in the predominantly African American community of Alsen, LA, marking the start of her impactful career in environmental advocacy.

In 1986, Marylee co-founded the Louisiana Environmental Action Network (LEAN), where she currently serves as Executive Director. Under her leadership, LEAN has become a powerful voice for underserved communities, pioneering collaborations between environmental activists and labor unions, including during the historic BASF lockout of the 1980s. Her innovative approach has focused on using environmental crises as opportunities to empower marginalized communities, seeking not only to resolve health and safety issues but to address deeper social injustices. Over the years, LEAN’s work has gained global recognition, with Marylee being featured in media outlets across more than 15 countries and highlighted in the Lifetime movie Taking Back Our Town as well as the bestseller Strangers in Their Own Land.

Marylee's tireless dedication to environmental and social justice has earned her numerous accolades. Some of her honors include serving as a U.S. delegate to the Global Assembly of Women and the Environment in 1991, being inducted into the OMB Watch Public Interest Hall of Fame in 2008, and receiving the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality’s Environmental Leadership Award in 2009. Her work continues to be a source of inspiration, especially in today’s politically and environmentally charged climate, as she remains committed to uniting communities to address life-threatening environmental challenges.