Jeanne Gauna

Jeanne Gauna was an activist in New Mexico who worked on a wide array of causes, included environmental justice, labor rights, sexism and police brutality. Growing up in New Mexico, Gauna made it her life's mission to fight the injustices she and her family faced in New Mexico. Gauna received her education from the University of New Mexico where she earned a Bachelors of Arts degree. She pursued studies in the politics of traditional New Mexican communities, culture, history, and culture Gauna had a son Jason with her first husband. She moved to Albuquerque where she married Eric Schmieder with whom she had her son Karlos. Rio Grande riverIn the 1900s, SWOP protested with the Navajo people in Albuquerque for the water rights of the Rio Grande.

Gauna spent her life supporting many organizations such as:

The Albuquerque Boycott Committee Citizens Against Nuclear Threats Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán NM Public Interest Research Group U.S. National Board of Greenpeace U.S.A. Board of the Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Economics National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit Committee to Stop Grand Jury Abuse Committee Against Repression

Recognition Jeanne Gauna received the following awards: Prestigious Bannerman Award for veteran organizers The Southwest Public Workers Union Environmental Justice Award American Civil Liberties Union Guardian of the Constitution Award De Colores Grassroots Leadership Award