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Jaye Whitworth: Coastal Activist in the Spotlight
Jaye was moved when, at a local information meeting, she heard Coastal Program Director Mark Massara talk about how when the public gets involved in coastal protection, progress is made. When the public doesn't get involved, the chances go down. That night, Jaye made a commitment to get involved. Soon after that she delivered strong testimony during a California Coastal Commission hearing in Long Beach. She reminded the commission members that they serve as watchdogs for the coast and that they should continue to work hard to update Local Coastal Plans (LCPs). Our coast is "too important to sell off" to developers, she says. Jaye's deep concern about loss of public access to the beach stems in part from her work teaching art to inner-city children. She asserts that it's intrinsically unjust for only the privileged to have access to the coast. "Inner-city kids need coastal access too," she says. Jaye continues her coastal efforts by personally distributing Sierra Club postcards, including them in mailers inviting people to her art shows. She also places stacks of postcards urging elected officials to protect the coast in galleries where her art is displayed. Jaye is driven to save the California coast, and is constantly imagining new ways to reach people and spread the word about coastal protection. "It's up to all of us," she says. "We could make history here." Read about other coastal activists. Photo: Coastal Activist Jaye Whitworth with friend Amanda Livingston at Seal Beach. Photo courtesy William Livingston. Up to Top |
Long Beach artist Jaye Whitworth was inspired to join the Great Coastal Places Campaign after her friend's 11-year-old daughter, Amanda, was required to get a Hepatitis B shot before joining a surfing class. Jaye says she was "devastated, and motivated to act." She quickly became involved with the Sierra Club's efforts to protect the California coast from development and pollution.