Wonder Woman of the Week: Rachel Carson

This week’s spotlight is one of the most influential people- and one of the most important figures- in world conservation. Her field work on the pollution caused by fertilizers and pesticides garnered national and international attention and helped lead to the advancement of clean energy in the production of foods. She was a well respected marine biologist, an advocate for planet Earth, and one outstanding role model for women in science. The Wonder Woman of the Week is Rachel Carson.

Rachel Carson was born in Springdale, Pennsylvania in 1907. Growing up in a farming community alerted young Carson to the effects of pollution caused by the large-scale use of fertilizers and pesticides from a young age. Her childhood on the farm also helped educate Rachel on wildlife and nature. In 1929, Carson graduated from the Pennsylvania College for Women (now known as Chatham College) and went on to study at Johns Hopkins University. [1]

Unfortunately, Rachel Carson’s track to becoming a well renowned biologist; but family troubles were made worse by the death of Carson’s father. Carson decided to forego her PhD studies and return home. With the onset of World War II, Carson landed a job with the US Department of Fisheries and used her new platform to advertise that Americans should eat less meat and more fish. Her regular radio show on aquatic life became widely popular across the US, and her work on analyzing wild fish populations became a major works of the US Department of Fisheries. Her two books published during the war, Under the Sea Wind, and The Sea Around Us brought so much attention to her work that Carson received two doctorates, a national science-writing prize, and the National Book Award from The New Yorker. [2]

After World War II ended, Rachel Carson set herself on a new course of action- environmental protection. Disturbed by the large-scale use of synthetic pesticides, Carson believed the nation’s environment was at risk of massive pollution. She challenges the motives of agricultural scientists as being too largely influenced (read bribed) by the very corporations making their money from synthetic pesticides and called on a new way for humanity to think about its role in the world’s environment. While she was attacked by the chemical industry, and many members of Congress labeled her an alarmist; Carson continued to campaign for environmental protection and awareness. [3]

Rachel Carson died of breast cancer in 1964, but her work in environmental activism continues to inspire advocates in the field today. Rachel Carson’s books on fish populations and her work in advertising fish helped educate a nation on the nutritional benefits of seafood. On top of all of that, Carson was an award-winning biologist, conservationist, and life-long student in science. Her work in uncovering the hidden agendas in corporate science remain relevant today and her work in fish observation continues to inspire young girls to pursue degrees in marine biology.

“Rachel Carson Biography.” Biography.com. A&E Entertainment; nd. Web. 7 September 2016.

Mahoney, Linda. “Rachel Carson (1907-1964).” National Women’s History Museum. np;nd. Web. 7 September 2016.

Lear, Linda. “Rachel Carson’s Biography.” The Life and Legacy of Rachel Carson. np; 1998. Web. 7 September 2016.