Dana Orozco grew up in Tucson, Arizona and has ancestral roots spanning both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Her deep connection to the Sonoran Desert has shaped her identity and values. This connection is not just a part of her heritage but a fundamental aspect of who she is.
As someone with Indigenous and Latine ancestry, she carries the legacy of a people whose ties to the land have been challenged by historical injustices, including forced removal from our ancestral lands and the division imposed by the border. These disruptions have not only severed physical connections but also created emotional and cultural rifts, making her fight for environmental and cultural restoration all the more personal.
The harsh reality of air pollution, extreme heat, and water contamination from mining have further impacted her family and community, deepening her advocacy for everyone’s right to clean air, water, and a meaningful relationship with their environment. She has seen how these issues affect real lives, and it fuels her commitment to ensuring that every individual, regardless of their background, has access to a healthy and sustainable environment. It’s clear to her that our well-being is intricately tied to the health of our environment and the land that sustains us.
Driven by her heritage and lived experiences, she dedicates herself to environmental justice and community advocacy. Her mission is to honor her ancestors by fighting for a world where people can reconnect with the land, reclaim their environmental rights, and build a future where everyone can thrive.
