Early Life

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas was born on April 7, 1890, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She grew up in Massachusetts after her parents separated and later attended Wellesley College, where she studied English. From an early age, she loved reading and writing. After college, she worked as a reporter and later moved to Florida, where she would make her greatest impact.

Career as a Writer

Douglas began her career as a journalist for the Miami Herald, writing news stories and columns. She was also a skilled fiction writer, publishing short stories and novels. Her writing often explored themes of nature and society, but she became most famous for her nonfiction work. She had a clear, strong voice that made readers pay attention to her ideas.

Champion of the Everglades

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas is best remembered for her fight to protect the Florida Everglades. In 1947, she published her most famous book, The Everglades: River of Grass. This book showed people that the Everglades was not just a swamp to be drained, but a vital ecosystem that supported wildlife and people. Her words changed how Americans thought about the Everglades and sparked conservation efforts.

Later Life and Legacy

Even into her 90s and 100s, Douglas remained an active defender of the environment. She gave speeches, organized conservation groups, and fought against projects that threatened the Everglades. She lived to be 108 years old, passing away on May 14, 1998. Today, she is remembered as one of America’s greatest environmental activists, and schools, parks, and organizations bear her name in honor of her work.

Discussion Questions

1. Why was Marjorie Stoneman Douglas’s book The Everglades: River of Grass so important?
2. How did Douglas use writing to make a difference in society?
3. What challenges do you think she faced in protecting the Everglades?
4. How can young people today continue the work of conservation?

Glossary

• Ecosystem – A community of plants, animals, and their environment working together.
• Conservation – The protection and careful use of natural resources.
• Activist – A person who works to bring about political or social change.
• Swamp – Wetland area with water and plant life, often seen as less valuable before conservation efforts.

Five Interesting Facts

• Douglas lived to be 108 years old.
• She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1993.
• Her book The Everglades: River of Grass is sometimes called “the bible of the Everglades.”
• She worked as a Red Cross volunteer during World War I before becoming a journalist.
• A Florida high school, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was named in her honor.

Timeline

• 1890 – Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• 1912 – Graduated from Wellesley College.
• 1915 – Moved to Miami and worked for the Miami Herald.
• 1947 – Published The Everglades: River of Grass.
• 1993 – Received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
• 1998 – Passed away at age 108.