Activist  speaking tonight 

By Michelle L. Young
Daily Forty-Niner

Environmental activist Erin Brockovich is scheduled to speak to a sold-out crowd at Cal State Long Beach's Carpenter Performing Arts Center tonight, as part of CSULB's on-going Odyssey program. She will be speaking about her experience investigating the company Pacific Gas and Electric and the toxic agent Chromium 6 in her town's ground water.

Brockovich was made famous after the investigation was dramatized in the 1999 film "Erin Brockovich," starring Julia Roberts as Brockovich.

In 1996, Brockovich brought a successful direct action lawsuit against the company. More than $333 million in damages was awarded to the more than 600 residents.

She is currently the director of environmental research at Masry and Vititoe, drawing numerous environmental lawsuits against several companies.

Brockovich has been awarded various honors, including the presidential award of merit and the consumer advocate of the year award from the Consumer Attorneys of California. Brockovich was lauded for her valiant efforts to provide a safe environment for children from the Children's Health Environment Coalition.

Brockovich will discuss her on-going investigation, legal success and personal issues to 1,100 attendees at 7 p.m.