WOMEN IN CONSERVATION

            Rachel Louise Carson, probably the most well known female conservationist today, spent her years as an author and marine biologist. In 1962, she published the most influential environmental book “Silent Spring”. This work led to creation of: the Environmental Defense Fund in 1967; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970; and a complete ban of the chemical DDT in the United States in 1972. Because of these impacts, she is credited with igniting grassroots environmentalism movement and is referred to as the “mother of the environmental movement” (National Audobon Society). One thing I found quite interesting is that she had her first story published at just 10 years old. She was admitted to Johns Hopkins before her senior year of high school, but wasn’t able to go that early due to family finances as she served as the caretaker of her siblings and parents. Throughout her life, she experienced many additional setbacks due to family finances and still was able to be arguably the most influential conservationist of history (U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service).