Marion Stoddart - The Work of 1000

Cambridge, MA. March 10, 2010. A short version of the documentary film “Marion Stoddart: The Work of 1000″ will screen Wed. March 10, 2010, 9AM at the  2010 Urban River Restoration and Cities of the Future conferences, March 7-10 at the Boston Marriott Cambridge in Cambridge Massachusetts. Meet legendary environmentalist, Marion Stoddart. Marion Stoddart was instrumental mobilizing the clean up of the severely polluted Nashua River and in influencing the passage of the landmark 1966 Massachusetts Clean Water Act.

AYER: On Saturday, May 2, State Senator Jamie Eldridge hosted a fundraising event for The Work of 1000, a documentary film that will chronicle the life of environmental hero Marion Stoddart and her successful quest to clean up the Nashua River. The event, held at the Ayer home of Kathleen O’Connor, drew well over two dozen attendees to watch a 15 minute version of the film. Sen. Eldridge, Stoddart, and the film’s producer, Susan Edwards, were the featured speakers.

“My support for this project is deeply rooted in my personal values,” said Sen. Eldridge, who personally pledged a $500 donation to the film. “Access to clean water is a defining issue of the next decade, and one to which Beacon Hill must attend. Marion’s grassroots approach to environmental activism provides a blueprint for others to follow.  She was an average citizen determined to effect change. Through force of will and hard work she emerged as the leader behind the extraordinary effort to clean the Nashua River.”

Said attendee Jesse Reich, CEO of Baystate Biofuels, “It’s through leaders like Senator Eldridge and Marion Stoddart that change is brought about, and we see economic improvements while simultaneously reducing our environmental footprint.”

The cleanup of the Nashua—once, one of the 10 most polluted rivers in the nation—represents a significant environmental victory. Marion Stoddart has been honored for her advocacy with a United Nations Award, was featured as a citizen hero by The Today Show, and became the subject of a widely-read children’s book.

Added attendee Rick Gillis, President of Barnraisers, “If we as a society are to succeed in creating an economy that supports a sustainable way of life, we must rely on the innovation and new ideas engendered by people taking risks. Marion Stoddart has not only given us a gift by spearheading the cleanup of the Nashua River, she has also demonstrated a method for people with new ideas to succeed. Our company has invested money into The Work of 1000 documentary film because of these reasons and hope others will join us.”

The film, which will run 60 minutes in length, is scheduled for completion this fall. To learn more or to donate, please visit www.workof1000.com.

Groton, MA. Sept. 2008. Local filmmakers of a feature documentary on environmental hero Marion Stoddart are presenting a short film clip from the documentary. The clip, Leadership and Environmental Change: The Rebirth of the Nashua River will be followed by a panel discussion. The panel features Marion Stoddart, Fitchburg Mayor Lisa Wong, CEO and President of MassInnovation Robert Ansin, NRWA Executive Director Elizabeth Ainsley Campbell and researcher in science and math education equity Patricia Campbell, PhD.

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