Women in geology

Women in geology concerns the history and contributions of women to the field of geology. There has been a long history of women in the field, but they have tended to be underrepresented. In the era before the eighteenth century science and geological science had not been as formalized as they would become later. Hence early geologists tended to be informal observers and collectors, whether they were male or female. Notable examples of this period include Hildegard of Bingen who wrote works concerning stones and Barbara Uttman who supervised her husband's mining operations after his death. Mrs. Uttman was also a relative of Georg Agricola. In addition to these names varied aristocratic women had scientific collections of rocks or minerals. [ [http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&safe=active&q=cache:ukoUCvXy3IkJ:www.episodes.org/Back%2520Issues/243/182-19.pdf On the origin of women geologists by means of social selection: German and British comparison] ]

In the nineteenth century a new professional class of geologists emerged that included women. In this period the British tended to have far more women of significance to geology. [ [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/geol/pga/2006/00000117/00000001/art00004 British women who contributed to research in the geological sciences in the nineteenth century] ]

In 1977 the Association for Women Geoscientists was formed to support women in this field as they remained underrepresented. There have been advances since then although retention remains a problem.

Female geologists

*Claudia Alexander-Notable member of the Association for Women Geoscientists
*Florence Bascom-First woman hired by the United States Geological Survey.
*Etheldred Benett-Early female geologist in Britain.
*Robbie Gries-Former president of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. [ [http://www.abdn.ac.uk/mediareleases/archive/2002/pr947.hti University of Aberdeen] ]
*Dorothy Hill-Only female president of the Australian Academy of Science.
*Mary Horner Lyell-Nineteenth century British geologist
*Sharon Mosher-Former President, Geological Society of America [ [http://www.geology.uiuc.edu/news_info/mosher.htm University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign] ]
*Marie Tharp-A discoverer of the Mid-ocean ridge
*Janet Vida Watson - Lyell Medal, Bigsby Medal, and a past President of the Geological Society of London. [http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/template.cfm?name=past_presidents]

References

ee also

* Women in science
* Women in the workforce

External links

* [http://gsa.confex.com/gsa/2006AM/finalprogram/abstract_114300.htm THE WISSAHICKON CONTROVERSY: FLORENCE BASCOM'S EDUCATIONAL TRIUMPH]
* [http://www.awg.org/about/ Association of Women Geoscientists]