The Beauty in Balance Reviews: Wild Woman
Wild Woman: empowering stories from women who work in nature
By Philippa Forrester
The (aptly named) Philippa Forrester’s semi-autobiographical novel explores the feminine connection with nature, and dispels the assumption that it is only men who have an interest in the wild or who can survive in the wilderness.
Through a mixture of personal storytelling and historical anecdotes from wild women throughout the centuries, who inspired and taught Philippa valuable lessons, Wild Woman is a heartwarming and empowering story of femininity and bravery.
The story begins with Philippa explaining how she and her husband have separated, forcing her to return from their wild lifestyle in the US to her old home in the UK with her children.
During the first few weeks of living in the UK, Philippa realises she must clear a path in order to get her oil delivered, something her husband traditionally used to do. So, although heartbroken, she gets to work clearing all the brambles on the path, and even finds it quite therapeutic to slash through the shrubbery and release some of the pent up anger and emotion from her separation.
This first anecdote sets the tone for the rest of the book, that whilst men are commonly associated with nature, wilderness and conservation, women are just as capable of doing it themselves, in their own way, and for their own reasons.
Keep reading for my key takeaways from the book…
Feminism meets environmentalism
An interesting point Philippa makes is that we are emotionally connected to nature because our ancestors spent all their time outside, not confined to houses, offices, or in front of a screen!
Being outside makes us feel better, is good for our mental health, and even improves our immune systems. Our bodies have evolved to thrive outdoors in nature, rather than to live mostly inside. In fact, in the natural world, female species are strengthened by their reproductive functions, as their maternal instincts force them to adapt and do whatever it takes to survive and protect their offspring, often alone.
In hunter-gatherer societies seen throughout the animal kingdom, women’s work enables the community to thrive and survive in the long term. For example, females in hunter-gatherer societies teach their young how to forage for food and find fresh water, which are essential for sustaining life. These skills are passed on from generation to generation, often by the female species, creating resilient communities both now and for the future.
These observations show just how crucial females are in the wild, protecting and providing for their offspring and sustaining communities. Similarly, it was evidenced throughout the book that the wild women Philippa encountered were taking approaches to try and preserve communities of wild animals, using education as a tool to promote conservation, similar to how female species try to educate their young in order to nurture future societies.
Throughout the book, Philippa highlights our emotional bond with nature, stemming from our ancestors' outdoor existence, and she emphasises the importance of female species for the sustenance of communities in the wild. My key takeaway from the book was that women and nature work in harmony together, and whilst the wilderness is commonly associated with men, it is actually women who adapt and resiliently keep communities going, while passing on key survival skills to their offspring.
Stories of Courage and Conservation
The book switches between Philippa’s anecdotes and the real life stories of women who have helped the wilderness in one way or another. There was the story of the first female botanist, who had to pretend to be a man in order to travel the globe and document plant species - which her male lover then took all the credit for! (Are we surprised?).
There was also a story about inspirational women leading an anti-poaching brigade which focused on reasoning, education and de-escalation, as opposed to the often traditionally male approach of confrontation, and potentially violence, when coming face-to-face with poachers, which was not having a positive impact on poaching. Since the female rangers have started educating people, poaching has significantly decreased.
In conclusion, the book weaves together Philippa’s own personal stories and thoughts with compelling real-life stories of women who have significantly contributed to wilderness conservation. These narratives highlight the impact and unique approaches women can bring to preserving nature. These stories not only celebrate their achievements but also underscore the ongoing challenges and biases they face in their vital work.
Final thoughts
By highlighting the often-overlooked contributions of women in wilderness conservation, this book not only celebrates their achievements but also challenges traditional gender roles. It is a testament to the resilience, adaptability, and positive impact of women in the natural world.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in stories of female empowerment and the feminine connection to the natural world.
