Winifred Goldring
Encyclopedia
Winifred Goldring was a pioneering female paleontologist whose work included a description of stromatolite
s.
Goldring was born in Kenwood
, New York
).. Petrified Sea Gardens
, the stromatolite site that she studied, is a National Natural Landmark
and a National Historic Landmark
of the United States.
She was the fourth State Paleontologist of New York
, and the first woman to hold that position. In 1949 she was elected president of the Paleontological Society
(the largest association of paleontologists in the world)-the first woman to hold that office and one of only two women to attain that position to this day. Because these were (and still are) male-dominated geological societies, large numbers of men must have supported her candidacy for Goldring to win, underscoring her prominence as a nationally-known geologist respected for the quality of her research, despite prevalent gender prejudices in academia.
She was an educator as well as researcher, and commissioned and designed dioramas for the New York State Museum
.
in Albany, NY. Enrolled in Wellesley College with an intended major in classical languages, she became intensely interested in geology and changed her major, attaining an A.B. (with honors) in 1909 and an A.M. in 1912.
Stromatolite
Stromatolites or stromatoliths are layered accretionary structures formed in shallow water by the trapping, binding and cementation of sedimentary grains by biofilms of microorganisms, especially cyanobacteria ....
s.
Goldring was born in Kenwood
Kenwood, Albany, New York
Kenwood is a neighborhood in the city of Albany, New York. Prior to annexation by the city in 1916 a hamlet in the neighboring town of Bethlehem, also in Albany County. The hamlet once spanned both sides of the Normans Kill along the Albany and Bethlehem Turnpike...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
).. Petrified Sea Gardens
Petrified Sea Gardens
Petrified Sea Gardens, also known as Ritchie Park, is a National Historic Landmark. It preserves an area of ancient stromatolites in a Cambrian rock layer. Stromatolites "were first recognized, discovered, and interpreted in North America" here, on property owned by Robert F...
, the stromatolite site that she studied, is a National Natural Landmark
National Natural Landmark
The National Natural Landmark program recognizes and encourages the conservation of outstanding examples of the natural history of the United States. It is the only natural areas program of national scope that identifies and recognizes the best examples of biological and geological features in...
and a National Historic Landmark
National Historic Landmark
A National Historic Landmark is a building, site, structure, object, or district, that is officially recognized by the United States government for its historical significance...
of the United States.
She was the fourth State Paleontologist of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and the first woman to hold that position. In 1949 she was elected president of the Paleontological Society
Paleontological Society
The Paleontological Society, formally the Paleontological Society of America, is an international organisation devoted to the promotion of paleontology. The Society was founded in 1908 in Baltimore, Maryland and was incorporated in April 1968 in the District of Columbia...
(the largest association of paleontologists in the world)-the first woman to hold that office and one of only two women to attain that position to this day. Because these were (and still are) male-dominated geological societies, large numbers of men must have supported her candidacy for Goldring to win, underscoring her prominence as a nationally-known geologist respected for the quality of her research, despite prevalent gender prejudices in academia.
She was an educator as well as researcher, and commissioned and designed dioramas for the New York State Museum
New York State Museum
The New York State Museum is a research-backed institution in Albany, New York, United States. It is located on Madison Avenue, attached to the south side of the Empire State Plaza, facing onto the plaza and towards the New York State Capitol...
.
Education
In 1905 she graduated as valedictorian from The Milne SchoolThe Milne School
The Milne School, frequently referred to as Milne High School, was the campus laboratory school for what is now known as the University at Albany, State University of New York, located in Albany, New York. Its mission was to provide a location for prospective teachers to do their practice teaching...
in Albany, NY. Enrolled in Wellesley College with an intended major in classical languages, she became intensely interested in geology and changed her major, attaining an A.B. (with honors) in 1909 and an A.M. in 1912.