Marin County teenager Erin Schrode is a bit like Elle Woods, the gorgeous and bubbly character in "Legally Blonde." Like Woods, Schrode is beautiful and vivacious - and not to be underestimated.
Where Woods, played by Reese Witherspoon, campaigned in the "Legally Blonde" sequel to outlaw animal testing in cosmetics, Schrode is on a crusade to get harmful chemicals out of beauty products.
The 18-year-old - who moonlights as a model and was recently featured in Seventeen magazine - has testified before the California Legislature, helped found a national coalition called Teens Turning Green, and started an eco-friendly body care line now sold in Whole Foods stores nationwide.
At the end of August, the "ultimate green girl," as she calls herself, was one of five teenagers from California honored for her activism and impact. She received $36,000, to be applied to college or to her activist work.
| Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas