Nancy Alderman, a trailblazing environmentalist from North Haven, Connecticut, spent her life protecting public health from environmental hazards and spearheaded pivotal efforts such as the Farmington Canal Trail.
Mark Zaretsky reports for the New Haven Register.
In short:
- Nancy Alderman, who died Jan. 1, was known for her tireless advocacy on issues like PFAS, synthetic turf and radon; and founded Environment & Human Health, Inc., which focuses on reducing environmental health risks.
- Her work extended to battling industrial developments on wetlands and pushing for laws to address toxics in everyday life, earning bipartisan respect and collaboration.
- Alderman’s passion for community, family and education defined her life, from hosting gatherings to earning advanced degrees from Yale later in life.
Key quote:
“Nancy was a fierce advocate, a tireless environmentalist, and a woman of extraordinary vision who dedicated her life to safeguarding public health and our planet.”
— U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn
Why this matters:
Alderman’s legacy is a roadmap for tackling the health crises we might otherwise ignore, reminding us that change starts with bold voices willing to challenge the status quo. For her, the stakes were always personal — and they still are for every community living with these invisible threats.
Read more by Nancy Alderman in EHN:
