photos by Kay Cumbow Click the photo for a larger view You may also see more Great Lakes Health Banner panels in our photo album here and here. Contributions toward this project will be appreciated and are tax deductible under IRS rules. A contribution of $12 or more will underwrite a square for the Banner. Donate now, using PayPal.  You may donate with your credit card using PayPal, a PayPal account is not required.

You also may contribute by sending a donation in the form of a check payable to:

Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination 8735 Maple Grove Road Lake, MI 48632-9511 Please note Great Lakes Health Banner on the check. Thank You!

More about the Great Lakes Health Banner Project

The magnificent Great Lakes Health Banner, representing environmental health concerns of approximately 80 diverse Great Lakes organizations was inspired by the first Health Banner, which was created by the Environmental Health Network, a national group based in Louisiana. The Great Lakes Health Banner was formally introduced at CACC’s Backyard ECO-Conference in 1991. This powerful visual speaks for the protection of the health of our communities and the Great Lakes Watershed. Gretchen Michaels, CACC Director, has teamed with Maryann Stroup of Families for Environmental Health Awareness, the project’s original director, to bring new life to this important grassroots art project. Contributions toward this project will be appreciated and are tax deductible under IRS rules. A contribution of $12 or more will underwrite a square for the Banner.

Mission Statement

The Great Lakes Health Banner Project seeks to promote and protect the health of people of Michigan by demanding and implementing institutional change, reform and accountability of the Michigan Department of Public Health, the Legislature and the Governor. These agencies and individuals have constitutionally and legislatively imposed duty to protect the health of Michigan citizens under the Michigan Constitution and the Michigan Public Health Code. We will do this by inviting citizens throughout the Bioregion to join together for the mutual goals of:

1. Preventing environmental disease and death
2. Empowering communities to have an impact on decisions that effect environmental health by providing tools to achieve institutional change
3. Increasing public awareness of illness and death associated with environmental health hazards

Origin of the Health Banner Project – 1989

Linda King, Director of the Environmental Health Network (nat. Org. based in Louisiana) saw tremendous health needs in workers and communities at large that should have been acknowledged not ignored, addressed not dismissed. State after state she confirmed that public health laws were not being enforced by local, state and federal agencies or were superficial at best in so many cases. Community organizations throughout Louisiana were tired and frustrated by “environmental policies” which were not protecting the people, while allowing air, land, and water pollution to continue. They created the first Health Banner and took it to Baton Rouge to present “The Louisiana State of the Health Report” to their health department.

Great lakes Health Banner Project –1991

This wonderfully conceived grassroots art project was formally introduced at C.A.C.C.’s Backyard Eco Conference in 1991. Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination recognized the value of the Great Lakes Health Banner immediately. Thanks to the core group of volunteers, The Banner Project continues to provide a strong visual statement of determination and unity in our Bioregion. The Original Team included:

• Maryann Stroup–Director of the project – Families for Environmental Health Awareness
• Florence Wessel – Maryann’s mother and seamstress
• Liz Davies– Writer and Communications expertise
• Joan D’Argo – Greenpeace International
• David Dempsey & Lawton Jackson- Clean Water Action
• Tracy Easthope – Ecology Center, Ann Arbor
• Carol Rames & Lorraine Kulhanek- TRACC
• Paul and Judy Vandenberg
• Butch and Sally Lamphear
• And numerous others.

Growth, Travels, Hibernation, Re-immersion

The Banner Project has grown and now represents more than eighty diverse organizations, environmental groups, communities, clubs, and a broad variety of creative thinkers from our Bioregion. These groups have been adding 3 foot panels which have been sewn on to each other. The Banner is impressive in its message, size, and authenticity. It has survived disappointment, apathy and denial by many politicians, industries, and those of our species in general. Responsible groups have displayed The Banner at Rallies, Civic Events, Ecology Centers, Conferences, Schools, Earth Day Celebrations, State Capitals, Health Departments, Shorelines and gatherings of many kinds.

Update 2012

Gretchen Michaels is the C.A.C.C. representative who has recently been working with Maryann Stroup to update, inventory and expand the exposure of The Banner Project. Maryann and Gretchen encourage your group to display all, or portions of, The Banner at events in your area. They also support and coordinate efforts to add more panels. If your organization would be interested in adding a 3 foot panel representing your local environmental concerns, materials and further details can be provided. CONTACT: Gretchen at 248-628-7463 Kay at 810-346-4513 email Kay Cumbow Contributions toward this project will be appreciated and are tax deductible under IRS rules. A contribution of $12 or more will underwrite a square for the Banner. Donate now, using PayPal.  You may donate with your credit card using PayPal, a PayPal account is not required.

You also may contribute by sending a donation in the form of a check payable to: Citizens for Alternatives to Chemical Contamination 8735 Maple Grove Road Lake, MI 48632-9511 Please note Great Lakes Health Banner on the check. Thank You!