Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World

Published on March 5, 2019, "Visionary Women: How Rachel Carson, Jane Jacobs, Jane Goodall, and Alice Waters Changed Our World" dives into the lives and legacies of four trailblazing women who reshaped our societal landscape. This powerful narrative, a finalist for the PEN/Bograd Weld Prize for Biography and winner of The Green Prize for Sustainable Literature, captures the essence of Jane Jacobs' advocacy for livable cities, Rachel Carson's environmental warnings, Jane Goodall's insights into human-animal relationships, and Alice Waters' revolutionary food ideologies. Author Andrea Barnet weaves a rich tapestry of historical contexts, highlighting how these women, from distinct backgrounds and generations, challenged the 1950s corporate and patriarchal norms to spearhead progressive movements across environmental, animal, and gender justice domains. Ideal for college readers, this book not only celebrates these women's monumental contributions but also prompts readers to reflect on how individual activism can herald widespread social change.