Staff reports 10 a.m.
Monday, April 16, 2018 9:59 am

Dudley Dudley, seen here in a 1970s circa photograph, will speak on modern day environmentalism on Thursday in Portsmouth. (Courtesy photo)

PORTSMOUTH - In celebration of Earth Day, Star Island is hosting a talk by local legend and environmentalist Dudley W. Dudley on April 19 at Discover Portsmouth.

A respected politician and environmental activist, Dudley is known for her leading the effort to halt former Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis' bid to build the world's largest oil refinery on the shores of Great Bay.

At the time Onassis' plans were to turn the Isles of Shoals into a super-port.

Dudley, then a 37-year-old mother of two and a state representative from Durham, led Seacoast residents in an effort to twice scuttle the destructive project during the 1970s.

Dudley's story is a reminder not only of the importance of preservation and care of our coast, but what ordinary citizens can accomplish together.

The talk begins at 5:30 p.m. at Discover Portsmouth, 10 Middle St., Portsmouth, NH 03801.

Admission is free, but registration is required. To register go to https://starisland.thankyou4caring.org/pages/earth-day-lecture?erid=1040952&trid=588c6f5b-8d7b-40b9-85d0-5595e2cff191