WCVStories
COLE: How lead exposure has changed the lives of a family and a city
After her son was lead poisoned at a young age, Shy McElroy became a fierce advocate for eliminating lead exposure in Wisconsin. Now the Executive Director of the Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE), she’s fighting to replace toxic lead pipes and protect families from harm.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Clean Water For All
March 4, 2025
After her son was lead poisoned at a young age, Shy McElroy became a fierce advocate for eliminating lead exposure in Wisconsin. Now the Executive Director of the Coalition on Lead Emergency (COLE), she’s fighting to replace toxic lead pipes and protect families from harm.
“This is not a red or a blue issue. This is a people issue.”
mother. leader. voter.
Shy McElroy, Milwaukee
In the video above, Shy shares her journey, COLE’s mission, and why funding is urgently needed in order to ensure safe drinking water for all.
This is a story of leadership and activism in the face of a daunting, ongoing crisis. Shy's work reminds us of the human impacts of water contamination, and why Wisconsinites need solutions. Because, in Shy's words, clean water "shouldn't be a privilege, it should be a right."
Shy holds a children's book about the importance of preventing lead poisoning.
A COLE-hosted community dinner in Milwaukee.
Shy serves food at a COLE-hosted community dinner.
Shy demonstrates the inside of a corrupted lead lateral line.
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