Jeanne Gauna

Jeanne Gauna was an activist in New Mexico who worked on a wide array of causes, included environmental justice, labor rights, sexism and police brutality.^[1]

Early life

She was born September 26, 1946 in Vaughn, New Mexico. Her parents were Willie and Josephine Gauna. Her sister Eileen won an award titled the Fighting For Justice Reward.^[2] Growing up in New Mexico, Gauna made it her life's mission to fight the injustices she and her family faced in New Mexico. Gauna received her education from the University of New Mexico where she earned a Bachelors of Arts degree. She pursued studies in the politics of traditional New Mexican communities, culture, history, and culture^[1]

Personal life

Jeanne Gauna had two sons. She died of cancer on February 17, 2003.^[1] Gauna had a son Jason with her first husband. She moved to Albuquerque where she married Eric Schmieder with whom she had her son Karlos.^[1]

Career

In the 1970's Gauna worked under Richard Moore, director of the regional office of the Children's Foundation as office manager. Later, SWOP gave rise to the Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (SNEEJ), with Richard Moore as director. This allowed for Gauna to become SWOP's main director.^[1]

SouthWest Organizing Project

After the Children's Foundation was defunded, Gauna and Moore co-directed the SouthWest Organizing Project (SWOP). SWOP was a grassroots organization that worked to end racial and environmental injustice. They worked on police brutality, gender inequality, racism and the environment. SWOP fought against policies and practices that contributed to environmental pollution and the poisoning of low income communities and communities of color.^[1]^[3]

In the 1900's, SWOP protested with the Navajo people in Albuquerque for the water rights of the Rio Grande.^[4]^[3]

Gauna spent her life supporting many organizations such as:^[1]

The Albuquerque Boycott Committee
Citizens Against Nuclear Threats
Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán
NM Public Interest Research Group
U.S. National Board of Greenpeace U.S.A.
Board of the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economics
National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit
Committee to Stop Grand Jury Abuse
Committee Against Repression

Recognition

Jeanne Gauna received the following awards:^[1]

Prestigious Bannerman Award for veteran organizers
The Southwest Public Workers Union Environmental Justice Award
American Civil Liberties Union Guardian of the Constitution Award
De Colores Grassroots Leadership Award

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Oboler, Suzanne; González, Deena J. (2005). "oxford reference". The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States.
^ Villa, Clifford J. (2017). Fighting for Environmental Justice: The Life and Work of Professor Eileen Gauna.
^ ^a ^b Motavalli, Jim. "The Desert's Open Veins: Native Rights and Water Fights in Albuquerque". The Environmental Magazine. ProQuest 229144308.
^ Weber, Jonathan (Apr 27, 1993). "Reason for Calif. Business Loss Is on the Rio Grande Economy: A New Mexico town lures companies with cheap land, low taxes and an effusive welcome.: [Home Edition]". ProQuest 282035392.

[:0-1] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Oboler, Suzanne; González, Deena J. (2005). "oxford reference". The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States.

[2] Villa, Clifford J. (2017). Fighting for Environmental Justice: The Life and Work of Professor Eileen Gauna.

[:1-3] Motavalli, Jim. "The Desert's Open Veins: Native Rights and Water Fights in Albuquerque". The Environmental Magazine. ProQuest 229144308.

[4] Weber, Jonathan (Apr 27, 1993). "Reason for Calif. Business Loss Is on the Rio Grande Economy: A New Mexico town lures companies with cheap land, low taxes and an effusive welcome.: [Home Edition]". ProQuest 282035392.

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