CLCV to Honor Environmental Justice Advocate Martha Guzman-Aceves

CLCV is thrilled to honor Martha Guzman-Aceves at this week's Environmental Leadership Awards in San Francisco.

Guzman-Aceves was appointed deputy legislative secretary for Environment, Energy, Water, and Agriculture by Governor Jerry Brown in 2011. Previously she was an advocate with the California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation, a nonprofit legal services and advocacy organization founded in 1981 to improve rights and opportunities for California’s immigrants, their families and communities.

Martha has long been a leader at working with the farming community to both improve conditions for workers and recognize and promote best practices on California’s farms and ranches. In addition to her work advocating for environmental justice, Martha is an advocate for occupational health and safety and community health issues. Her recent regulatory and legislative victories include the enactment of a Heat Illness Prevention Standard through Cal OSHA and the Pesticide Drift Exposure Response Act, SB 391.

Martha previously served as the Legislative Coordinator for the United Farm Workers (UFW) AFL-CIO covering a range of labor and environmental issues. She worked for the UFW for five years in both their political and research departments.

Guzman-Aceves is also a board member of the Ag Innovations Network, which strives to bring food and food production back to the core of people's lives; Pesticide Action Network North America; Sierra Institute; and Community to Community Development. She was a gubernatorial appointed member to the California Water Commission.

Martha Guzman-Aceves is an inspiring environmental leader with a well-earned reputation as a bridge-builder, and we're delighted to present her with our Environmental Leadership Award.