“ I never thought of myself as an activist. I was just me. There are so many ways of fighting. “
Quotes by Carol Van Strum
Introducing Carol Van Strum
Carol Van Strum is an American environmental activist, author, and editor, renowned for her extensive work opposing the use of herbicides in Oregon's forests and for exposing governmental and corporate malpractices related to chemical safety.
Born Carol Scott on December 13, 1940, in Port Chester, New York, she was one of five daughters of Helen Caroline Campbell and G. Norman Scott. In 1962, she married Steve Van Strum, with whom she had five children. Tragically, in 1978, four of their children perished in a fire at their home in Five Rivers, Oregon. After separating from Steve, Carol remarried and raised two sons, Jordan and Nicholas.
In 1975, Van Strum moved to the Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon. Witnessing helicopters spraying herbicides like 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T (components of Agent Orange) over the forests and waterways, she became deeply concerned about the health implications for her family and community. This led her to co-found Citizens Against Toxic Sprays (CATS), aiming to challenge the U.S. Forest Service and chemical manufacturers over these practices. Their efforts culminated in a 1977 court order halting the spraying of 2,4,5-T in the Siuslaw National Forest, a significant victory that influenced national forest policies favoring selective harvesting without herbicides.
Born Carol Scott on December 13, 1940, in Port Chester, New York, she was one of five daughters of Helen Caroline Campbell and G. Norman Scott. In 1962, she married Steve Van Strum, with whom she had five children. Tragically, in 1978, four of their children perished in a fire at their home in Five Rivers, Oregon. After separating from Steve, Carol remarried and raised two sons, Jordan and Nicholas.
In 1975, Van Strum moved to the Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon. Witnessing helicopters spraying herbicides like 2,4-D and 2,4,5-T (components of Agent Orange) over the forests and waterways, she became deeply concerned about the health implications for her family and community. This led her to co-found Citizens Against Toxic Sprays (CATS), aiming to challenge the U.S. Forest Service and chemical manufacturers over these practices. Their efforts culminated in a 1977 court order halting the spraying of 2,4,5-T in the Siuslaw National Forest, a significant victory that influenced national forest policies favoring selective harvesting without herbicides.