Zonia Baber
Encyclopedia
Mary Arizona "Zonia" Baber (1862-1955) was an American
geographer
and geologist
. She is best known for developing a method for teaching geography.
Baber initially worked as a teacher of geography and as a principal in a private school. She began working at the University of Chicago
in 1895, and obtained her Bachelor's degree there in 1904.
In 1898 Baber co-founded the Geographic Society of Chicago. She served as the President and was involved with the Society for 50 years. In 1948 she received a lifetime achievement award.
Baber was also involved in social issues. She was considered a feminist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist. In 1926 she represented the women of Puerto Rico
in the extension of suffrage to the country. She served as chairman of the Pan-American Committee of the International League for Peace and Freedom.
American people of the United States
The people of the United States, also known as simply Americans or American people, are the inhabitants or citizens of the United States. The United States is a multi-ethnic nation, home to people of different ethnic and national backgrounds...
geographer
Geographer
A geographer is a scholar whose area of study is geography, the study of Earth's natural environment and human society.Although geographers are historically known as people who make maps, map making is actually the field of study of cartography, a subset of geography...
and geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
. She is best known for developing a method for teaching geography.
Baber initially worked as a teacher of geography and as a principal in a private school. She began working at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
in 1895, and obtained her Bachelor's degree there in 1904.
In 1898 Baber co-founded the Geographic Society of Chicago. She served as the President and was involved with the Society for 50 years. In 1948 she received a lifetime achievement award.
Baber was also involved in social issues. She was considered a feminist, anti-racist and anti-imperialist. In 1926 she represented the women of Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in the extension of suffrage to the country. She served as chairman of the Pan-American Committee of the International League for Peace and Freedom.