In 1990, Pat Mitchell, a former elementary school teacher from Vestavia Hills, created a character named “Auntie Litter” as part of an anti-litter and pro-environment campaign.
Mitchell hoped to “do for the environment what Uncle Sam has done for patriotism.” Her first appearance came at Birmingham’s 1990 Earth Day, where she launched an “Auntie Litter Needs You” public education campaign.
She started speaking at schools, churches and businesses and speaking out in news articles, radio interviews, television appearances and public service announcements, promoting litter prevention and cleanup efforts and environmental stewardship. That effort spread not only across Alabama, but throughout the Southeast…