Maria Gunnoe

Maria Gunnoe (born 1968) is a native West Virginian who opposes mountaintop removal mining, and is a winner of the Goldman Prize and Wallenberg Medal.

Early life Maria was born in Boone County, West Virginia, where she continues to reside. She is a Cherokee native. The water near her home was also rendered contaminated. She now serves on the board of the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition, and advocates to protect the Monongahela National Forest from natural gas extraction.

Honors and appearances In 2005, Gunnoe received the Environmental Courage Award from the West Virginia Environmental Council. In 2007, she also received the David Vs. Goliath Award from the Rainforest Action Network. In October 2012, Gunnoe received the University of Michigan's Wallenberg Medal, and was the first person to receive the award for environmentalist work.