Belle Benchley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belle Jennings Benchley
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Belle Jennings
August 28, 1882 |
| Died | December 17, 1973 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Director of the San Diego Zoo for more than 20 years; directed its growth into a major world zoo; only female zoo director in the world at the time |
| Spouse(s) | William L. Benchley (1881–1966) |
Belle Jennings Benchley (born August 28, 1882 – died December 17, 1973) was a very important person in the world of zoos. She was often called “The Zoo Lady.” Belle Benchley was the director of the San Diego Zoo for many years, from 1927 to 1953. During her time, she helped the zoo grow from a small collection of animals into a famous, world-class zoo.
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Early Life and Education
Belle Jennings was born in Larned, Kansas in 1882. When she was five years old, her family moved to San Diego, California. They lived in the Roseville area of Point Loma. Interestingly, the local elementary school was actually located in her parents’ home!
Belle later went to Russ High School, which is now known as San Diego High School. She also attended San Diego Normal School, which is now San Diego State University. She married William L. Benchley in 1906. They had one son named Edward.
Leading the San Diego Zoo
Before working at the zoo, Belle Benchley was a school teacher. In October 1925, she was hired by Dr. Harry M. Wegeforth. He was the president of the Zoological Society of San Diego. Her first job at the zoo was as a bookkeeper, handling the money and records.
Just two years later, in October 1927, she was promoted to the top job. She became the executive secretary, which was like being the main boss of the zoo. Her official title was changed to "managing director" only when she retired. She worked in this important role until December 1953. For most of her career, Belle Benchley was the only woman zoo director in the entire world!
Growing the Zoo
Belle Benchley worked closely with Dr. Wegeforth. Together, they helped the zoo grow a lot. They brought in many new animals and created new, smart ways to design the animal habitats. The San Diego Zoo was one of the first zoos to build natural-looking exhibits. These exhibits made it seem like the animals were in their natural homes, not just in cages.
During her time as director, the number of visitors to the zoo grew more than four times bigger. The zoo's budget also increased more than seven times. She managed the zoo during tough times, like the Great Depression and World War II. Even with these challenges, she helped the zoo succeed.
Belle Benchley also wrote and edited the zoo's monthly magazine, ZooNooz. She gave hundreds of talks to groups all over Southern California. She was a member of important zoo organizations. She even became the first woman president of the American Zoological Association.
Books by Belle Benchley
Belle Benchley wrote several books about her experiences with animals and the zoo. Some of her books include:
- My Life in a Man Made Jungle (a memoir about her life at the zoo)
- My Animal Babies
- Shirley Visits the Zoo (a children’s book)
Honors and Legacy
When Belle Benchley retired in 1953, the mayor of San Diego declared it “Belle Benchley Day.” More than 800 people attended a special dinner to celebrate her amazing work.
In 2007, she was recognized for her achievements. She was added to the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame. The San Diego Union Tribune also featured her in a special section in 2021. This section was called "Phenomenal Women: Executives and Entrepreneurs."
Belle Benchley passed away at the age of 90. She is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park in San Diego. Her gravestone has a special carving of a smiling gorilla's head. This drawing was made by her granddaughter, Laurel.
