Susana Almanza

Susana Almanza is an environmental activist and politician. Almanza is the founding member and executive director of People Organized in Defense of Earth and Her Resources (PODER).[1]

Susana Almanza
Born1952
Austin, Texas
EducationAustin High School
OccupationDirector of PODER

Early life

Almanza was born in East Austin Texas and attended Austin High School.

Career

During the 1960s and 1970s, she participated in the Chicano and Chicana movement as a Brown Beret, protesting police violence and education inequalities.

Environmental activism

Almanza was a member of the Environmental Board, and a city planning commissioner for the city of Austin, Texas. She helped found Southwest Network for Environmental and Economic Justice and was the founder of Texas Network for Environmental and Economic Justice.[2] Almanza has served on multiple commissions and boards in East Austin, including the City of Austin Parks & Recreation Board, the City of Austin Community Development Commission, and the City of Austin Environmental Board.[3] Almanza's work has garnered her 17 awards including Environmentalist of the Year and the Petra Foundation Fellow Award.[4] Almanza was inducted into Southwest Key's Walk of Heroes for commitment to the community, the environment and social justice in 2013.[5]

Politics

Almanza ran against her brother, Sabino “Pio” Renteria, for East Austin City Council in District 3 in 2014 and 2018, losing both in a run-off.[6][7] In her 2018 race against Renteria, she claimed that real estate interests had donated money to oppose her. Almanza was cited as opposing CodeNEXT, claiming that increases in population density would further gentrification.[7]

Almanza served on numerous governing bodies in Austin including the Montopolis Neighborhood Association and the City of Austin Planning Commission.[8] Nationally, Almanza served as a member of the Environmental Protection Agency's Title VI Implementation Advisory Committee.

Political views

Almanza opposes gentrification and development of urban areas that displaces underprivileged communities. She believes that high-tech manufacturing corporations implement facilities that pollute surrounding neighborhoods and force low-income residents to relocate.

In 1992, for instance, Almanza launched a campaign to force Chevron, Exxon, Mobil, Coastal, Citgo and Texaco to dismantle and relocate an oil firm located in East Austin.[9]

Almanza opposes the development of a Major League Soccer stadium in North Austin at McKalla Palace.

Personal life

She is a mother and grandmother.[10]

References
  1. Oboler, Suzanne; González, Deena (2015). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in Contemporary Politics, Law, and Social Movements. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199744619.
  2. Oboler, Suzanne; González (2005). The Oxford Encyclopedia of Latinos and Latinas in the United States. Deena. ISBN 9780195156003.
  3. "Susana Almanza".
  4. "The Petra Foundation | Susana Almanza". petrafoundation.org. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  5. "Southwest Key Programs: Susana Almanza To Be Inducted Into Walk of Heroes". Southwest Key Programs. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  6. "Susana Almanza". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2019-03-21.
  7. Craver, Jack. "Another Brother-Sister Runoff In East Austin's District 3". www.kut.org. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  8. "PODER - People Organized in Defense of Earth and her Resources - Staff". www.poder-texas.org. Retrieved 2019-03-26.
  9. Shattuck, Jessica. "Susana Almanza". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2019-04-04.
  10. "Susana Almanza - Bio". Austintexas.gov. Retrieved April 4, 2019.
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