Does the name sound familiar? Your first thought when you hear Marjory Stoneman Douglas is of the high school in Florida that has tragically been all over the news for very unfortunate reasons. But did you know, that high school was named after a women who was an American journalist, author, women’s suffrage advocate, and conservationist. When Douglas was just 25 years old, she worked for her father at the Miami Herald. As a society reporter, Douglas advocated for various feminists, anti-racist, and environmental causes.

In 1917, Marjory became very passionate in advocating the preservation of the Florida Everglades. In 1947, she wrote a novel called “The Everglades: River of Grass.” Her novel focused on the Everglades, their beauty and her efforts to save them.  

At age 95, Marjory Douglas campaigned to provide the Dane County School Board a new building for the Biscayne Nature Center. Six years later, the Florida Department of Education endowed 1.8 million dollars for Douglas’ nature center in Crandon Park.   

In 1990, the Broward County named its new high school after Marjory Douglas when she was 100 years of age. Douglas was awarded the medal of freedom from President Clinton and in 1998, Douglas passed away at the age of 108.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a strong women who fought for what she believed in. She did many great things in efforts to make the world move in a positive direction. If you do not know about Marjory Douglas, read more about her or read her book!