ABSTRACT
This chapter describes Barry Commoner’s leadership in the formation and early years of the Committee for Nuclear Information. The Committee for Nuclear Information (CNI) was one of the first organizations devoted to that task. CNI was unique in two ways. First, it organized scientists into a Technical Division for a specific and focused social purpose. Second, although it was concerned with science, it drew its membership, officers, and board from other citizens as well as scientists. The citizens who served as officers and board members or who were staff members or volunteers in the office knew they were involved in a vitally important effort. Under the leadership of Dr. Louise Reiss, hard work by a citizens’ committee, a respectful approach to the community and some very creative publicity ideas succeeded in gaining the support of community organizations and the St. Louis school system.
