Director of the San Diego Zoo, 1952. Known as "The Zoo Lady", she started out as a bookkeeper at the San Diego Zoo and was promoted to Executive Secretary, later her title was chaged to Zoo Director and she led the San Diego Zoo to an international showplace. For 26 years she was manager, organizer, promoter, fundraiser, author, and an international leader in animal behavior and zoo administration. She was the author of several books, including "My Animal Babies" and "My Life in a Man-Made Jungle." In 2007, she was inducted into the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame.
Belle Benchley is a bona fide "famous" person. She led the San Diego Zoo to an international showplace when she became the world’s first and only female zoo “directrix” in 1927. For 26 years she was manager, organizer, promoter, fundraiser, author, and an international leader in animal behavior and zoo administration.
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Brother: William H. Jennings born Jan 10 1898 . He was an important water attorney in San Diego County.
Inscription
The Zoo Lady
Family Members
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Frederick Merrick Jennings
1858–1926
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Ida Belle Orrell Jennings
1862–1949
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William L Benchley
1880–1966 (m. 1906)
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Jane Orrell Jennings Porter
1880–1917
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Frank Newby Jennings
1885–1964
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Edward Roy Jennings
1888–1965
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Luella Jennings Miller
1892–1971
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Susan Orrell Jennings Miller
1896–1984
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William Howard Jennings
1898–1983
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Helen Ida Jennings Bailey
1901–1980