Susan B. Nelson

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Susan B. Nelson
Born
Susan Louise Barr

(1927-04-13)April 13, 1927
UCLA
Known forEnvironmentalism
SpouseEarl Calvin Nelson Jr.
Children4

Susan B. Nelson (April 13, 1927 – May 4, 2003) was an American environmental activist who is best known as the mother of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.[1][2]

Early life

Sue Nelson was born Susan Louise Barr in

UCLA, graduating in 1948 with a degree in political science. She later earned a master's degree from UCLA in urban planning in 1969.[1][3]

Environmental activism

Nelson started her conservationist career as a housewife in Mandeville Canyon.

Topanga Canyon.[3] She also voiced her vocal opposition, through newspaper opinion pieces and town hall meetings, to development projects such as the Malibu Canyon Freeway, the Pacific Coast Freeway, and the Mulholland Highway.[3] In addition, Nelson sounded a warning bell against the privatization of public parklands.[9] Her persistence led some to call her ruthless, but also warmhearted and feisty.[10][1]

Personal life

Nelson married Earl Nelson in 1948. Together they had four children, but the marriage ended in divorce. Nelson's son-in-law was the composer

Echo Park, Los Angeles.[1]

Legacy

Nelson's archives are held in Special Collections and Archives at the

University Library of California State University, Northridge.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g McLellan, Dennis (May 22, 2003). "Susan Nelson, 76; Mountain Parklands Advocate". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Obituaries: Sue Nelson". Sierra Club. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e "The Susan B. Nelson Collection". June 26, 2018. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  4. ^ Kaufman, Polly Welts (1996). National Parks and the Woman's Voice: A History. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press. p. 205.
  5. ^ Woo, Elaine (May 23, 2008). "Hiker pushed for an L.A. national park". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  6. ^ Nelson, Susan B.; Strote, Mary Ellen (May 22, 1988). "Santa Monica Mountains -- Parkland Dream Dying on the Vine". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  7. ^ Gonzales, Gloria (March 28, 1997). "Park Service Honors Trailblazing Women". Los Angeles Daily News. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  8. ^ Fanucchi, Kenneth (July 31, 1986). "Coalition Sues to Stop Renewal in Hollywood". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  9. ^ Nelson, Sue (May 7, 1995). "Privatizing Looms as One of Many Dangers to Public Parklands". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 12, 2019.
  10. ^ Meares, Hadley (June 25, 2015). "A Cast of Characters: The Creation of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area". KCET. Retrieved March 12, 2018.
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