Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000
Marion Stoddart was a young mother who could smell the toxic waste running in the Nashua River from her home. At a point of personal uncertainty, Marion Stoddart found direction in life by taking on the challenge to make the Nashua River swimmable. Fifty years later, we are very excited to announce that activist Marion Stoddart and filmmaker Susan Edwards will be attending the festival in conjunction with their film, Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000. The documentary celebrates Stoddart’s work organizing a citizen campaign, Nashua River Watershed Association, which helped pass the Massachusetts Clean Rivers Act, created amendments to the Clean Water Act and brought life back to a dying river.
The Nashua River flowing through New Hampshire and central Massachusetts was one of the 10 most polluted rivers in the country during the 1960s, and was often brightly colored with toxic waste from surrounding paper mills. With exceptional determination, Stoddart tirelessly worked to pass legislation with enough strength to host the first annual Nashua River Spring Runoff Canoe Race less than 20 years after the river ran red.
While the river’s story is an exceptional success story, Stoddart’s story also plays a vital role in the Wild & Scenic Film Festival’s message. While we may feel overwhelmed by the enormity of degradation and destruction, The Work of 1000 reminds us that with perseverance one individual can do the work of a thousand. We hope that by watching The Work of 1000 you too will be inspired to take on big business, politicians, and public skepticism to protect our rivers.
Marion Stoddart & children
Chronicling an important episode in U.S. environmental history, this inspirational story examines the human side of acclaimed environmental pioneer Marion Stoddart who proved that with vision and commitment, an “ordinary” person can accomplish extraordinary things.
For more visit the film’s website.
