In 2014, the issue of access to clean and affordable water was thrust into the national spotlight.
As the city of Detroit was wrestling with the largest municipal bankruptcy in history, residents faced widespread water shutoffs because of unpaid water bills. The news brought needed scrutiny to the increasing cost of water in a city stricken with poverty. It also brought issues of environmental racism to the forefront.
It was a call to action for We The People of Detroit and Monica Lewis-Patrick.
Lewis-Patrick, who serves as the non-profit’s CEO and president, has been a tireless advocate for those facing water insecurity and has become a public face for the fight, earning the nickname “Water Warrior.