WOMEN WITHIN THE HISTORY OF THE GEOSCIENCES: USING CASE STUDIES TO BRING OVERDUE RECOGNITION AND ILLUMINATE CULTURAL CONSTRAINTS AND THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

The Geosciences have the unfortunate recognition of being the least diverse among the sciences. The history of the Geosciences reveals even greater disparities, since early professional societies were reserved for men of social standing who engaged in tours, read papers before their peers, and published their research results. In the early 20^th century, notable women geoscientists, including paleontologist Winifred Goldring (1888-1971) and petrologist Florence Bascom (1862-1945), encountered numerous career challenges and frustrations: field work was difficult within societal norms and women’s opportunities, compensation, and credit were grossly unequal when compared to their male colleagues. Mary Anning (1799-1847) and Etheldred Benett (1776-1845) faced even greater challenges in the 19^th century. Anning’s and Benett’s letters document their exceptional paleontological understanding, but they are seldom referenced as scientists of their period. Our knowledge of early 19^th century female contributions originates primarily from private letters and news stories, but their names are largely absent from the published body of scientific research that documents the Geosciences’ progression. Inclusion of female geoscientists' case studies in the K-16 curriculum not only brings overdue recognition to our female contributors but can also illuminate the cultural constraints they faced and the Nature of Science, primarily that science is a human endeavor.