Erin Brockovich

You would be hard pressed not to get caught up in the energy and enthusiasm of what environmental activist Erin Brockovich has to say. Her everywoman approach and Midwest sensibility to taking on some of the more controversial projects in this country has kept her grounded and focused. Nothing, however, could have prepared her for that day in 1996 that would change not only the course of her life, but the lives of more than 600 Hinkley, Calif., residents while rewriting history with the landmark case against PG&E.

In one of the largest direct action lawsuits spearheaded by Brockovich and attorney Ed Masry, the giant utility paid $333 million in damages for the contamination of drinking water with hexavalent chromium. Her story then became the Academy Award winning feature film starring Julie Roberts in the title role. But Erin's fight didn't end as the credits rolled. She parlayed her newfound notoriety into several projects of public empowerment including