Born: May 27, 1907
Died: April 14, 1964
The late Rachel Carson was an infamous marine biologist and author born in Springdale, Pennsylvania. She graduated from Pennsylvania College for Women known as the contemporary Chatham University. Carson went on to pursue a Master of Arts in zoology from John Hopkins University.
Why did Rachel Carson become an influential person? Some may ask. After obtaining her master’s degree, Carson broke history by becoming the second women to work for the U.S Bureau of Fisheries. Here is where her history started in 1962 when she published her book titled “Silent Spring”. This book initiated the global environmental movement by bringing forth the hazards of chemical pesticides. Carson was inspired to write about the dangers of pesticides after finding out about the decrease in bird life. This book publicized the negative effects of pesticides and how it can lead to cancer.
The chemical industry attempted to slander Carson for her findings primarily because she was a woman, they assumed she was incompetent, hysterical and that her research was unreliable. However, Carson’s findings influenced the nation in their efforts to pull their advertisements from television. The 35th president, John F. Kennedy verified Rachel Carson’s research in his Science Advisory Committee report. From there forward, that made pesticides a public issue and now there are many laws made to regulate pesticides and there are establishments that work to abolish pesticides. Another effect due to Rachel Carson’s efforts is the education available regarding pesticides, there is a federal regulation and information about this can be found on the National Pesticide Information Center website (www.npic.orst.edu) .
What inspired me about Carson’s work is her ability to persist and advocate being a woman and having all odds go against her. The authentic love and passion Carson had learning about nature and the environment is also inspiring because I feel like in today’s society we are pressured to conform and study disciplines that are guaranteed to “make money” rather than following our heart. Regardless of the adversities and challenges Rachel Carson faced being one of the first to pilot a movement related to environmental justice and being terminally ill, she remained resilient in making her time on earth legendary.
The term peace refers to harmony, agreement, and tranquility. Rachel Carson’s efforts align with the principles of peace because she was advocating to protect the environment and those living in it, whether that is animals or humans. Carson once stated “man’s endeavors to control nature by his powers to alter and to destroy would inevitably evolve into a war against himself, a war he would lose unless he came to terms with nature.” and I interpret this as anti-violence and protesting against corruption and destruction of the environment and the living organisms on the planet.
Works Cited
https://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel_carson/about/rachelcarson.html