Erin Brockovich, the subject of the award-winning film starring Julia Roberts, continues her environmental advocacy work. Born Erin Pattee in 1960, she overcame dyslexia to earn an associate degree before settling in California. After a car accident, she began working for Ed Masry’s law firm, where she discovered documents exposing PG&E’s groundwater contamination in Hinkley, California.
Brockovich’s investigation led to a lawsuit and a $333 million settlement for Hinkley residents. The film adaptation of her story was a success, but it omitted some details, such as Brockovich contracting chromium poisoning herself. Despite the film’s success, Brockovich faced criticism and scrutiny, including sexist comments, which she found overwhelming.
Post-movie, Brockovich continued her activism, hosting TV shows and authoring books. She remains active in environmental causes, highlighting ongoing water contamination issues globally. Despite the challenges, she remains committed to her advocacy work, acknowledging that the problems she faced in Hinkley were just the beginning of a much larger issue.
