By Bianca Strzelczyk
There are countless stories about ordinary people achieving extraordinary greatness.
At a law firm in California, Erin Brockovich’s inner drive and determination led her to overcome obstacles. With her bouncy, blond hair and sometimes revealing clothing, this former low income, debt-ridden mother helped win a legal battle.
Brockovich, whose ordeal was turned into the hit movie “Erin Brockovich” in 2000, will be sharing her story in Blackman Auditorium Monday at 8 p.m.
Although her physical appearance may be unconventional in a typical business setting, Brockovich was able to rise to the top with her intelligence, strong-minded spirit and caring personality. Brockovich is spreading her story about the difference one person can make through lectures across the country.
“The lecture circuit is much more about the message I have to give. It’s where I can be something more than the character with cleavage,” Brockovich said in an interview with the San Francisco Chronicle in 2001.
Dasantila Gjidede, a freshman pharmacy major, said she was also impressed with Brockovich and the fact she was a single mother who had a lot of things going against her.
“She definitely is an inspiring woman,” Gjidede said. “I think she would be an interesting speaker.”
Brockovich’s rise to stardom began in 1991 after she was seriously injured in a car accident, for which she was deemed to be at fault. Knowing she could not afford her lawyer fees without a settlement, Brockovich pleaded with her attorney, Ed Masery, to hire her at his firm, the law offices of Masry and Vititoe. Her persistence paid off and she landed a job as a file clerk.
While organizing papers at work, Brockovich discovered suspicious medical files. After receiving permission from Masery, she began to investigate and discovered that the Hinkley, Calif. community’s water supply was contaminated with a toxic amount of chromium. The element had leaked into the groundwater from a nearby Pacific Gas and Electric Company’s compressor station and was causing illness in the area.
Brockovich took a personal interest in the lives of the residents and, along with Masery, brought the case to court. In 1996, the $333 million settlement was the largest direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history.
The movie “Erin Brockovich” received positive reviews by critics, and Brockovich said in the San Francisco Chronicle article, the film was an accurate portrayal of her life.
In 2002, Brockovich co-wrote the book, “Take It From Me: Life’s a Struggle But You Can Win” with Marc Eliot, which discusses how she developed her determination for success.
Lana Zlotnik, a freshman behavioral neuroscience major who saw the movie, said she feels Brockovich’s story is inspiring and courageous.
“It takes a lot of work to do something like that,” Zlotnik said. “[Brockovich] has so many skills.”
The Council for University Programs and Panhellenic Council sponsored event will begin at 8 p.m. The cost of admission is $2 and it is open to Northeastern students only.
