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Advocate for the Everglades: The Life and Legacy of Douglas in Environmental Activism

In the 1980s, Douglas emerged as a passionate environmental activist, advocating for the protection of the East Everglades from rampant Miami development. At the age of 95, she employed her age and experience as tools in her activism, gaining attention and respect. Known for her independence as a modern woman, Douglas famously remarked, “I take advantage of everything I can—age, hair, disability—because my cause is just.” Her strategies for protecting the environment included community engagement, understanding legislation, and speaking out boldly. Douglas remains a symbol of resilience and dedication in the environmental movement.

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Advocate for the Everglades: The Life and Legacy of Douglas in Environmental Activism

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  1. An Everglades Providence: Grande Dame

  2. By 1980’s Douglas Was an Activist • She traveled to speak on behalf of environmental causes. • East Everglades protection from Miami development • Sea turtles • Kissimmee River • Lake Okeechobee • A coal fired power plant

  3. Used Her Age • Though Douglas had become old and frail, she did not slow down but used her age as a tool • She discovered that using wheel chairs she received special treatment and got through air ports quicker. • When being warned she spoke over her allotted time, she pretended deafness • She once told Time Magazine, “They can’t be rude to me. I have all this white hair. I take advantage of everything I can- age, hair, disability- because my cause is just.” • At 95, when asked about working full time at her age, she said, “Of course I don’t get tired of it… I don’t get tired of breathing either.”

  4. Feminist • Douglas saw herself as a modern woman. • Women activists during her day were still happily dependent on their husbands. • She was independent of a man and though she was more advanced because of it. • “I think that primarily I’m an individual…I think I’m something of my own, but I couldn’t characterize it. I’m not a conformist. Frankly, I’m a pretty modern woman… In fact, in some ways I’m ahead of some people.”

  5. Doing What She Loved • Douglas enjoyed speaking out on environmental issues. • She no longer was burdened by writing deadlines and now did what she loved to do. • She once said about her protest of a coal fired power plant South of Orlando, “I got a new lease on life just learning about the damn thing. One way to stay alive is to get good and mad now and then.”

  6. Six Part Strategy- Protect Environment • Join local environmental society • Form group w/ few neighbors and friends • Study legislation: city, county, state, federal • Do what you do best to help • Know your region • Rivers, lakes, coasts, roads, cities, climate, soil, plants, animals… • Speak up • Learn to talk clearly and forcefully in public • Simply and not longwinded • From sound preparation and knowledge • Be a nuisance but not a bore • Ok to be depressed & discouraged @ failures & effects of ignorance, greed, corruption, & bad politics • But never give up!

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