Activists come in many guises. History is often made by those who are single-minded, focused on a particular cause or issue. It is seldom that a person connected to one issue moves over to become successful in a completely different field.

Ruth Stout grew up in Girard, Kansas, and started helping Carrie Nation in the temperance movement, which led to radical politics. But in midlife she became fascinated with horticulture. She left politics behind and wrote books on “no-work” organic gardening. Those brought her attention as the environmental movement sprang up in the 1960s and created a significant following over the next 60 years. ×

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