The work of these two environmental champions should not be forgotten. They worked in tandem to affect the environmental progress that we may take for granted today.
Anna is best known for her persistent opposition to the nation’s largest municipal waste incinerator in Detroit. After years of representing the Sierra Club in numerous public hearings and meetings, we were not successful during that time. But in coalition with other groups, Anna was instrumental in forming a successful curbside recycling program to reduce the volume of waste going to the incinerator paving the way for its eventual shutdown.
Thanks to Anna’s leadership, Michigan hospitals have shut down all medical waste incinerators, the second largest source of dioxins to the air (number one was the Detroit incinerator mentioned above). By working with local churches and other groups on the giant Henry Ford Hospital incinerator and offering an in-house recycling system became the standard for the entire state.
The only commercial medical waste incinerator in Hamtramck took more years before it too was shut down.
Anna should also be remembered for her actions to combat the many new coal plants proposed for Michigan. Her contact with a local judge in Rogers City helped nix that giant one proposed for inside the limestone quarry.
Anna attended many SEMCOG meetings on regional transit, promoting especially commuter rail between Ann Arbor and Detroit. It almost happened. Anna and fellow volunteers also opposed the major freeway expansions including a one-mile extension of I-375 to the Detroit Riverfront.
Anna loved nature and was a member of the Michigan Nature Association and went on field trips and guided tours to Northern Michigan.
Lydia Fischer was a leader in the Southeast Michigan Group (SEMG) where she served in many volunteer positions and was the editor of the “Activist” newsletter that was sent out to approximately 5-7 thousand members.
Lydia was also active with the Michigan Chapter of Sierra Club serving as the Chapter Chair for several years and served at the National level in committees devoted to environmental justice. Lydia’s support of the Michigan Chapter went beyond activism to also being a major donor and supporter of the Chapter for well over a decade.
In her professional career, she worked for the United Auto Workers research arm and brought her passion and skill to everything she did. Lydia moved to Ann Arbor after retirement where she was active with the Huron Valley Group (HVG) for many years and was involved in their Conservation Committee.
Lydia and Anna contributed so much energy and wisdom to the work of the Sierra Club and the Justice community and they were both such passionate & dedicated activists. The Sierra Club and the world have truly lost two true heroes.
Lydia Fischer and Anna Holden who often worked in tandem both in life and both passed away in the same week, which for those of us who knew them both…this was a touching ending. Many of us learned so much from these two and will miss them but hopefully will be remembered as an inspiration for all of us.