Brockovich

[Guest guest]

Thanks Lea,

-------------------------

Original Message -----

From: " Barbara Hasenour (by way of ilena rose) "

<mtbears@...

<Recipient List Suppressed:

Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 2:37 PM

Subject: Brockovich

Brochovich spoke last Tuesday at the Kentucky

Center for the Arts. In Friday's March 8th Courier

Journal there is a large photo (showing what is no

doubt a chest that has been augmented with breast

implants) and a long article about her life, etc.

In an interview by Beverly Bartlett a local writer for

The Courier-Journal, said, " I've had to tap into

different parts of my personality, " she said in a

recent phone interview. " It may be the more vivacious

side. Because, believe me, there are days I feel

beat. " There are other comments in the article that

only those of us who suffer >from the disease process

caused by breast implants would recognize and

understand. I believe the toxic bags in 's chest

are no doubt making her ill. I have not yet tried, but

the article may be accessed via

www.courier-journal.com

Barbara Hasenour Kentucky Women's Health Network

Louisville, Kentucky

~~~ found it,

Barbara.

http://www.courier-journal.com/features/2002/03/20020308.html

Brockovich

Name recognition has changed her life, but it was

worth it to make a difference

------------------------------------------------------------------------

By BEVERLY BARTLETT

bbartlett@...

The Courier-Journal

First, she was just a penniless, anonymous,

down-on-her-luck single mom. Then she was a crusading

law-office clerk. And then, of course, Brockovich

was the title character of the big movie two years ago

that brought an .

Now she's still a crusading advocate on toxic issues,

but also a household name with a full plate of media

opportunities -- from taping pilots for series on two

networks to writing a motivational book, " Take It From

Me: Life's a Struggle But You Can Win " (McGraw-Hill

Professional Publishing, $19.95).

Brockovich also makes frequent lecture appearances --

including one Tuesday at the Kentucky Center for the

Arts, where she'll be the second speaker in the

" Unique Lives & Experiences " series.

Is this whirlwind, entertainment-industry orientation

a big adjustment for her?

" I've had to tap into different parts of my

personality, " she said in a recent phone interview.

" It may be the more vivacious side. Because, believe

me, there are days I feel beat. "

But when she shows up to tape, say, a talk-show pilot

for NBC or to speak before a crowd in Louisville, she

can't act as if she's beat. So she smiles, perks up

and goes on. She describes it as a big change for her.

Usually, " if I'm not in the mood to smile, believe me,

you know I'm not in the mood to smile. "

Not to suggest that she's a bristly, unpleasant

person. That's the one thing that causes her

occasional regret about the movie, which documented

her aggressive work in investigating charges that

Pacific Gas & Electric Co. polluted ground water in

Hinkley, Calif. PG & E eventually paid out $333 million

in a settlement with 600 Hinkley residents -- and

Brockovich got a $2 million bonus from her law firm.

" I didn't do Hinkley to develop a reputation as a big

bad bitch, " she said. " I did Hinkley because I'm a

nice person. I listen. "

The lesson from her life story, she says, isn't so

much that brass talk and sassy clothes will make a

difference, but that paying attention, reading what's

in front of you, asking questions -- doing your job --

will.

Brockovich says she started looking into the Hinkley

case because of things that puzzled her in a file that

crossed her desk as a law-office clerk.

Her story shows, she says, that anyone -- even a paper

pusher in a seemingly boring desk job -- can make a

difference. " Pick up that file, " she said. " Don't just

stamp it because that's part of your job. . . . Take

that next step. "

Everyone, " even a student, " can make a difference if

they find something and " take the time to get

involved, " she said, " even if you're working behind

the counter of Mcs. "

Brockovich said she'll revamp her usual talk a bit for

the Louisville audience since she appeared in town

once before -- a year and a half ago at an annual

Toyota conference for women.

But ultimately her message is the same that it's

always been. " I've taken a lot of clichés in my life "

and used them, she said. " You know what, they work. .

.. . Like 'Press on.' "

Now, she presses on -- exploring new toxic issues --

like household mold and dealing with a new reality.

She's gone from penniless and anonymous to well-off

and famous enough to identify with child actors who

can't shake their image as a Brady kid.

" I don't think my life will ever be back to what it

was, " she said. " There is just that name, that

association. "

Does she regret it?

Well, sometimes when she's met up with someone who is

trying to outsass her, she does.

But, she said, " more often than not, no. "