Hazel M. Johnson's Legacy
Provided by: People for Community Recovery|Published on: February 1, 2023|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Type: Articles/Websites
Subjects: Civics, History, English Language Arts, Health
Authors: People for Community Recovery
Location: North America, North America > United States, North America > United States > Illinois, North America > United States > Louisiana
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- This interactive timeline is a biography of Hazel M Johnson and her many years of research and organizing to help protect her community from environmental pollution and housing segregation.
- Students will learn about Hazel's life, her birth in Cancer Alley of New Orleans, her efforts in the environmental justice movement in South Chicago, and her remarkable accomplishments.
Teaching Materials
Positives
- This resource is incredibly informative and engaging. Students will enjoy learning about Hazel M. Johnson's story.
- The biography is broken down into manageable chunks, each with its own photo.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have some understanding of environmental justice before reading this resource.
Differentiation
- Connections can be made in health classes discussing the ways in which people and communities are impacted by environmental pollution.
- This resource would make an excellent introduction to the concepts of activism or environmental justice. Go through the timeline together as a class, pausing to discuss the main points and make connections.
- Once students have learned about Hazel M. Johnson's legacy, challenge them to learn about other environmental justice activists and report their learning to the class.
This website from People for Community Recovery discusses the history of one of the first environmental justice crusaders, Hazel M. Johnson. The site provides historical background and personal experiences that caused Hazel to start PCR. This website we be a great addition to a classroom discussing environmental justice / racism and the roots of the movement.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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