Wilma Subra is a hero to the residents of Diamond, a predominantly African-American community situated along the fence line of a chemical company facility in Norco, La. Residents of this community had been plagued for years by respiratory ailments and high rates of cancer. These health hazards were directly traced to the host of toxic emissions from the nearby chemical plant – carcinogenic chemicals including benzene and epichlorohydrine.

Wilma, who earns her living by testing hot sauce at the Tabasco plant in Avery Island, La., worked with the community in a volunteer capacity, helping them learn more about what these dangerous emissions were doing to their bodies. She also worked hand-in-hand with community residents to take action to preserve their health and the health of their children.

During 2003, she negotiated a relocation plan on behalf of the residents. The company paid 300 households above-market prices for their homes and also paid all relocation and moving costs to a location of the family’s choice. In many cases, families not only removed themselves from a hazardous environment, they also moved to better living conditions.

The area once inhabited by 300 low-income families is now a much-needed buffer zone between the facility and the town of Norco. Wilma’s actions urged a major corporation to take responsibility for its environmentally damaging actions and helped protect the health of approximately 1,000 individuals and saved litigation time and costs.

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