Susana Almanza Credit: Photo By John Anderson

One of Austin’s most committed activist groups — People Organized for the Defense of Earth and its Resources (PODER) — got national attention this week when co-founders Susana Almanza and Sylvia Herrera won a “Leadership for a Changing World” award from the Ford Foundation. The award, which comes with a $130,000 cash grant, recognizes PODER’s efforts on environmental justice and quality-of-life issues in East Austin, including closing down the gasoline tank farm and relocating the BFI recycling plant. Council Member Raul Alvarez — a former PODER staffer — nominated Almanza and Herrera for the award; the two native Austinites are among 20 activists and advocates honored this year by the Ford Foundation.

This article appears in October 4 • 2002.

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Amy Smith has been writing about Austin policy and politics for over 20 years. She joined The Austin Chronicle in 1996.