- I am in awe of the historians who came before me. They built California's narrative brick by brick, relying on painstaking research—not digital archives. Honestly, they were historical superheroes.
- And now, it's my turn. I'm committed to using every tool at my disposal to breathe new life into our state's story. My obsession? Uncovering the lost pioneers—the unsung heroes, innovators, and everyday visionaries who shaped California in ways we've barely begun to understand.
- Through their letters, diaries, and forgotten records, I want to take you on a journey that surprises and moves you—one that makes you laugh, cry, and say, "I had no idea!" This isn't just history; it's a conversation with the past,rediscovering voices that still have something important to say.
THE ZOO LADY: HOW BELLE BENCHLEY BUILT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO
Discover the full, unforgettable story when the book releases September of 2026!
The Real Story Behind West with Giraffes
When the San Diego Zoo faced bankruptcy and chaos in 1925, they hired Belle Jennings Benchley, a middle-aged, newly divorced mother, as a temporary bookkeeper. She dreaded the job, yet that desperate choice launched her career as the first woman director of a major zoo in the world.
Five feet tall and fearless, Benchley became a formidable force in a field dominated by men. She commanded both wild beasts and rough crews with a rare blend of calm judgment and quiet authority.
The popular novel West with Giraffes fictionalizes the journey of two towering creatures to the zoo. But the true drama belongs to Belle, who, through meticulous, nerve-wracking planning, personally engineered the unprecedented feat of safely guiding those animals across the continent.
Her real-life triumph is every bit as extraordinary as the wonderful story it inspired.
It is time to restore the legacy of Belle Benchley—the woman who built a world-renowned institution—and finally give her the rightful place she earned in global conservation history.