Robina Suwol, Environmental Health & Justice Advocate, Nominated for 2011 Hero Award

The Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) has announced the launch of the Third Annual Jewish Community Hero Awards, to recognize the selflessness and courage of those who are helping their communities through volunteer service. The honorees will be selected by an online voting process, which will take place between Sept. 7 and Nov. 10, and 10 semi-finalists will be announced on Nov. 15. The Jewish Community Hero of the Year will be announced at a special event in December, and will win a $25,000 grant for their community project.

Robina Suwol is the founder & Executive Director of California Safe Schools, a children's environmental health and justice coalition. She achieved national prominence in 1998 by spearheading the Los Angeles Unified Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Policy,the most stringent pesticide policy in the nation for K-12 public schools-the first to embrace the "Precautionary Principle" and "Right to Know". The policy led to the passage of California's Healthy Schools Act. Today the LA Unified IPM policy serves as an international model for school districts & communities.

On October 6, 2005, Governor Schwarzenegger signed AB 405 (Montanez) sponsored by Robina & California Safe Schools. The bill bans experimental pesticides, whose health effects are unknown, from California k-12 public schools.

California Safe Schools has also been a leader in school siting. On February 1, 2011 at historic Los Angeles City Hall, California Safe Schools held the only public hearing in the nation on school siting to a standing room only crowd of local, state, federal officials, and members of the public.

When not giving frequent presentations on a wide range of environmental health and safety issues to parents, students, school officials and legislators, she can be found most weekends volunteering at Health and Safety Fairs, Conferences & community events. The world. is a better place because of her efforts.

To Vote for Robina Suwol and California Safe Schools:
http://www.jewishcommunityheroes.org/nominees/profile/robina-suwol

For further information on California Safe Schools
http://www.calisafe.org