Rockwood, Gail M.

Gail M. Rockwood, originally from Detroit, Michigan, received her Bachelors degree from Albion College in 1960. Following a move to Uniontown, Pennsylvania, Rockwood became involved with the environmental movement after witnessing the effects of coal mining in the region. She helped to organize the Southwestern Group of the Sierra Club Pennsylvania Chapter in 1972. Rockwood was especially active in promoting the need for environmental education in Pennsylvania's elementary and high schools, and focused attention on drafting legislation to address this matter. Between 1976 and 2001, Rockwood served in a variety of state environmental organizations and committees. Most notably, she was appointed to the Citizen's Advisory Council (CAC) from 1976 to 2001, which oversees the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). During her time on the committee she served as council chair and vice chair. Moreover, Rockwood served as CAC representative for the Environmental Quality Board (EQB) and the Mining and Reclamation Advisory Board. The Gail Rockwood Public Service Award was established in September of 1998 by the Pennsylvania Wildlife Federation. The award recognizes individuals who have spent at least ten years in voluntary service and demonstrate personal achievement, continual volunteer involvement, solution-oriented leadership, recruitment of others, and the inspiration to excel.