The Zoo Lady: How Belle Benchley Built the San Diego Zoo

"For all zoo and history fans, this is a must! Once again, with her impeccable research and splendid storytelling, Sandra Bonura has resurrected the story of a forgotten San Diego pioneer. In this lovingly crafted, definitive biography of Belle Benchley, Bonura brings to life one of the most remarkable women of her century."—Ken Kramer, creator and host of the KPBS series Ken Kramer's About San Diego "It's about time that Belle Benchley had her own modern biography. She was a trailblazing woman leader if there ever was one!"—Lynda Rutledge Stephenson, author of The San Diego Zoo: The First Century and the best-selling novel West with Giraffes "Belle Benchley broke the glass ceiling of the zoological world. She was the first woman zoo director and the first woman president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In a professional world surrounded entirely by men, this amazing woman broke barriers, blazing a trail for the many incredibly talented female professionals to follow."—Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums "Belle Benchley's story—nearly lost to history—comes vividly alive in Sandra Bonura's moving portrait of the woman whose compassion and determination carried the San Diego Zoo through its most uncertain times and changed the future of zoos around the world."—Kathi Diamant, author of Heart of the Zoo: How San Diego Zoo Director Chuck Bieler Earned His Stripes "Sandra Bonura captures and brings to life San Diego's rich history in ways few historians match. Her biography of Belle Benchley reveals the extraordinary, little-known story of a woman who made history and whose legacy still resonates today."—William Lawrence, president and CEO of the San Diego History Center "Belle Benchley is an inspiring figure for anyone who aspires to be a champion for wildlife professionally. As the world's first woman zoo director, she helped pave the way for women like me to lead major zoological institutions today. She was a driving force behind the modern zoos we see today, always focusing on improving animal care and creating impactful educational opportunities for future generations."—Jo-Elle Mogerman, president and CEO of the Philadelphia Zoo "Belle Benchley was a true pioneer whose legacy continues to inspire the global zoo and aquarium community. As the first woman zoo director in the world, her vision and leadership broke barriers and advanced animal care and conservation—a path the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums continues moving forward today."—Karen Fifield, chief executive of Te Nukuao Wellington Zoo in New Zealand and president of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums