Women In Science History

Students will learn about the challenges that 19th- and 20th-century women faced when choosing a career path. They will then read a biography of Florence Hawley Ellis, one of the earliest American women to break into the male-dominated field of archeology. Este plan de clase con actividades incluido también está disponible en español.

Since the 1940s, women have been an important part of archaeology and cultural resources at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Learn more about their impressive contributions to our knowledge of this special place!

Ruth Sandvik was born in Kotzebue, Alaska and throughout her life, lived in many places across Alaska and the United States. She always considered Kiana, Alaska on the Kobuk River her home. In Kiana, she took over operation of Blankenship Trading Post in the late 1950s after her father became ill. She ran the Trading Post with her cousin Robinson Blankenship.

Jean Carl Harrington, often called “J.C.” or Pinky, and Virginia Sutton Harrington were two pioneering National Park Service archeologists. They excavated important archeological sites, established professional associations, traveled across the world, and even continued to excavate after retirement. J.C. and Virginia collaborated at Jamestown, and Fort Raleigh and Fort Necessity. The couple also helped to establish the Eastern National Park and Monument Association.

Dr. Kazue Togasaki was one of the first Japanese American women to become a doctor in the United States. She was born and raised in San Francisco and delivered over 10,000 babies in her long career serving the community and Japanese Americans. A survivor of Japanese internment in WWII, she was strong willed, serving as a physician to fellow internees at the assembly centers from 1942 until her release in Fall 1943.

Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first Black woman to earn a medical degree in the United States. A true pioneer, she battled deep-seated prejudice against women and African Americans in medicine.

The lesson is based on the Floyd Bennett Field Historic District, one of the thousands of properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about the vital role played by naval aviators delivering aircraft to combat-bound units in the Pacific during WWII, and the women workers on the home front who helped in one of U.S. history's greatest industrial feats

This lesson is part of a series teaching about the World War II home front in Los Alamos County, New Mexico designated as an American World War II Heritage City. The lesson contains primary sources, a secondary source, and pictures. The sources provide insight on Native American contributions to the home front in Los Alamos, like Dr. Floy Agnes Lee, in contrast to the usually limited employment opportunities for Native Americans. There are also resources on Pueblo pottery.

Mary Golda Ross was the first Native American woman to be a professional engineer. In 1952, she was one of the 40 founding members of Lockheed's secret Advanced Development Program, known as the Skunk Works. Much of the work she did there remains classified.

For many, Maria Ylagan Orosa’s contributions both before and during World War II are unknown. Those that have heard of her most often know Maria as the inventor of banana ketchup. But her impact on Philippine life and her heroism on the home front in World War II are so much larger.