No Fear: A Whistleblower's Triumph over Corruption and Retaliation at the EPA

In this sprawling memoir%E2%80%93cum%E2%80%93political expos%C3%A9, Coleman-Adebayo, a former senior policy analyst at the EPA, describes her ascendance to the top ranks of the federal agency, and the hostility and harassment that compelled her to speak out against the unfair treatment she received. After spearheading the EPA's involvement in the 1995 World Conference on Women in Beijing, Coleman-Adebayo was selected to run the Gore-Mbeki Commission, a high-profile assignment that aimed to improve the living and working conditions of South Africans in the postapartheid era. The American experts and South African leaders quickly discovered extensive exploitation of South African vanadium mine workers, many of whom were suffering from exposure to the radioactive substance. But when African-American scholar Coleman-Adebayo tried to take action, her efforts were stymied from within the EPA. Eventually, Coleman-Adebayo was removed from her post despite her outstanding record. Alleging the firing was retribution for her complaints, Coleman-Adebayo fought the agency in court, winning her case and spurring the creation of the No FEAR Act, which now protects whistle-blowers within the federal government. The story weaves personal reflection, policy discussions, court transcripts, and legislative maneuverings, making for an engaging if occasionally dry narrative of a public servant's rise and fall and eventual triumph. (Sept.)