Women in the Field: America's Pioneering Women Naturalists

These biographies of American women naturalists bring to light the large number of women who made important contributions to the natural history of North America, often receiving little credit for their work. As a woman who has long waited through the raising of a family for the opportunity to become a field biologist, I found the stories of these women's bold expeditions, often made alone, through tropics, across wild rivers, and over steep mountains, searching for undiscovered plants, insects, and birds inspiring. The women in these accounts practiced patient and exact science in their studies, and won credit for their work despite prevailing prejudices against women as scientists. What prejudices still exist today? What self-doubts still remain for women naturalists today? This book inspires me with confidence in my new direction. I would recommend it for all women naturalists amateur and professional, and especially for those in their teens who are considering a career in natural sciences.