MAY 27: TODAY'S INSPIRING WOMEN

Rachel Carson

Rachel Carson, a scientist and environmentalist, was born today in 1907. Her sensational book Silent Spring became a cornerstone of the modern environmental protection movement.

Mary Fieser

Mary Fieser, an organic chemist, was born today in 1909. She co-wrote the textbook Organic Chemistry in 1944, and the series Reagents for Organic Synthesis (1967-1994) a constantly updated standard laboratory reference.

Deeper Dive

"Climate change, rising sea-levels, melting Arctic glaciers, collapsing bird and animal populations, crumbling geological faults -- all are part of Carson’s work. But how, she wondered, would the educated public be kept informed of these challenges to life itself? What was the public's 'right to know'? Read more about her life.