Environmental Health Hero Award recipient Eboni Neal Cochran’s relentless fight for environmental justice in Louisville

Eboni Neal Cochran, longtime Louisville proponent for environmental justice and co-director of Rubbertown Emergency ACTion (REACT), is the recipient of Health Care Without Harm’s highest honor – the 2025 Environmental Health Hero Award. Cochran was recognized for her persistent advocacy for the people who live and suffer in the shadow of Louisville's chemical corridor.

“This recognition confirms I'm going in the right direction,” Cochran says with measured pride. “But more importantly, it provides another opportunity for people to learn about the issues that plague communities impacted by environmental injustice – like here in Louisville. That's what really makes it meaningful to me.”

Cochran received the Environmental Health Hero award on May 8 during Health Care Without Harm and Practice Greenhealth’s annual CleanMed conference. 

Celebrate her historical fight

The Environmental Health Hero Award recognizes an individual or group whose work has deepened our respect for and understanding of the connection between human and environmental health. This highest honor granted annually by Health Care Without Harm recognizes passionate and persistent leaders whose efforts have left a positive impact on the health of the people and communities they serve, whose words and deeds inspire and empower others to act, and whose contributions are advancing our shared work toward environmental health and justice.