MERIGOMISH – A normal day in the life of Mary Gorman doesn’t usually involve guiding a film crew around her property and reminiscing about her past environmental work.
But then again, it isn’t everyday that she is named a Green Hero.
The Merigomish resident, who is fighting to protect the waters in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, was named the winner among seven finalists by GreenHeroes.tv, a television series and Internet channel that tells stories of regular people becoming environmental heroes.
CineFocus Canada visited Gorman’s home Thursday to film some of the television and web footage that will be aired on TVO.org and GreenHeroes.tv next spring.
“I am far from a hero,” she said while taking a break from filming yesterday. “This is an opportunity to get the message out and raise awareness on the issue.”
Gorman, who co-founded the Save Our Seas and Shores coalition over a decade ago with Elizabeth May, is currently keeping a close watch on a proposal by Corridor Resources Inc.’s proposal to drill an exploration well in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
She said there are more 2,000 species of marine life living, spawning and migrating in the Gulf of St. Lawrence that would be affected if a drilling disaster ever occurred in the area.
Gorman admitted being an environmental activist can be challenging because there are very few victories and a lot of uphill battles. She said she never planned on being an activist, but when she returned home to her parents home in the late 1980s, after living in New York, she was horrified to see how the effluent from a local pulp mill had ruined Lighthouse Beach.
“My father was not happy with me, but I felt I needed to speak out,” she said, adding she helped organize one of the province’s largest protests shortly afterward which she said brought much-needed awareness to the issue.
Although she still keeps track of the Boat Harbour situation, she passed this torch onto others and began focusing on oil exploration in waters that are near to her heart.
“So many incredibly talented individuals are continuing on with this struggle. On one hand it is appalling that it is still going, but I am so happy it (the activism) is still going on.”
Gorman said being so passionate about her activism can be physically and mentally draining, but she uses nature to help recharge her batteries.
“I am addicted to the (beach) water,” she said. “This is how I recharge. I turn off the television and the radio and only watch funny shows on TV. I come out here and recharge with the healing powers of nature.”
Joan Prowse, producer for Cinefocus Canada, said Gorman is a perfect example of a GreenHero because she is an everyday person who has created a movement.
“As Mary says, ‘For us to really make a difference and to save this planet, we have join forces ,’” said Prowse. “Her life has been affected and she doesn’t get paid for it, but she is really helping people and doing the necessary work.”
Maybe we all should be praying with her