Environmental activist Rachel Carson is perhaps most known for her book Silent Spring, a book that warned about the long-term dangers of pesticides. It was published in 1962 and became an instant best-seller that sparked dramatic changes in the way the government regulated pesticides. Her work led the U.S. government to ban DDT, a pesticide that had devastating health effects on people exposed to it and on agricultural products.
Carson was a shy scientist, but her work that sparked the modern-day environmental movement was bold and effective. She was a lifelong lover of nature and science.
Her work inspired Albuquerque actor Ann Beyke to portray Carson. Beyke does live performances of great women in history, including Carson, Rosie the Riveter and Margaret Sanger. Beyke visited Carson’s childhood home in Springdale, Pennsylvania, as well as the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge in Maine to learn more about her and to ensure an accurate representation in her performances.
The Garden Club of Durango has invited Beyke to do her live performance of Carson at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the Durango Recreation Center, 2700 Main Ave.
