PALEONTOLOGISTS OF THE SOUTHEAST: WOMEN WELCOME!

Women have been conspicuous by their absence among recognized leaders in paleontology at the national level. In the 106 year history of the Paleontological Society (PS), five women have served as President, one as Treasurer, and one as Secretary. Three women have received the PS Medal in 50 years and four have received the Schuchert Award in 40 years. Women have been elected to PS fellowship at a slightly higher rate (15%), but still substantially less than the representation of women in the society as a whole (23%). In contrast, women have held important leadership roles in the science and organization of paleontologists in the southeastern US and numbers are increasing.

Women have made prominent contributions in studying the paleontology of the southeast. For instance, monographs by Katherine Van Winkle Palmer (PS Medalist), Julia Gardner (PS President), and Emily Vokes remain key to understanding the molluscan faunas of the southeast. Women working or residing in the southeast have contributed to all fields of paleontology, including micropaleontology, paleobotany, vertebrate and invertebrate paleontology. Notable contributions have been made by women in the southeast to understanding taphonomy, evolution and extinction, paleoecology, and biostratigraphy. A third of women PS Fellows have worked in the southeast.

Since the inception of the Southeastern Section of the Paleontological Society in 1979, women have held leadership roles, organizing symposia, leading field trips, and serving as section chairs. For instance, four of 22 section chairs since 1981 have been women (18%), compared to 5% female leadership of the PS at the national level. The Southeastern Section of the PS includes 28% active female members, slightly greater representation than at the national level. Although 21% of professional non-retired members in the southeast are women, 46% of students are women. Comparable numbers at the national level are slightly but not significantly lower (17% and 42%). The supportive atmosphere of the Southeastern Section encourages women to become involved in leadership roles. In addition, strong female leadership provides role models and mentors to female students. As more female students convert to professional status, women will play an even stronger role in the activities of the Paleontological Society.