Women of the National Park Service

NPS History is Women's History!

Women have a long history with the National Park Service. We have come a long way from the early years of the NPS when women were excluded from service, or relegated to "appropriate" jobs. Now, women can be found serving in jobs across the NPS, from working directly with the public, doing research out in the field, and behind the scenes.

We hope you enjoy this collection of stories introducing you to a few of the Women of the National Park Service.

Collage of five images of women wearing different NPS uniforms.
Dressing the Part

Do the clothes makes the ranger? Explore the NPS History Collection's new portfolio to learn about the history of women and the NPS uniform.

NPS Women, Yesterday and Today

  • Two women in long skirts dance on a rock outcrop high above the ground
    Historic Women of the NPS

    Women have long been involved with the history of the NPS. Here you can explore the stories of some of these historic women.

  • A park ranger in uniform stands in front of a landscape
    Working with the Public

    Find out about NPS women who work with the public as park rangers, law enforcement, bus drivers, and interpreters.

  • A woman takes notes about a wildfire
    Out in the Field

    If you look beyond the areas the public usually visits, you will find lots of NPS women working in the field.

  • Three people work on the side of a pathway, water in the background
    Interns, Artists, Volunteers, and More

    The women of the NPS are not just employees. Read about our interns, fellows, volunteers, Junior Rangers, artists-in-residence, and more.

  • A woman in a hard hat smiles into the camera
    Behind the Scenes

    There is a lot of work that goes on "behind the scenes" in the NPS. Meet women who work in archives, project management, maintenance, etc.

  • A woman in uniform holding a child
    Women Veterans

    The NPS employs thousands of active-duty military and veterans in a wide array of careers. Meet some of these women here.

Discover More Stories of Women in the NPS

Showing results 1-10 of 45

  • Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

    Women in Archaeology at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
    A woman wearing a National Park Service uniform stands in an archaeological excavation unit.

    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!

  • Acadia National Park

    Portraits of Acadia: Therese Picard

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park
    Park ranger stands beside patrol vehicle

    Therese Picard, chief ranger

  • San Antonio Missions National Historical Park

    Staff Highlight: Chantelle Ruidant-Hansen

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
    Park Ranger talking to a group of people

    Staff Highlight for Mi Parque Mi Historia

  • Acadia National Park

    Portraits of Acadia: Brittany Ashcraft

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park
    Woman stands in front of the park’s dispatch command center.

    Brittany Ashcraft, public safety dispatcher

  • Acadia National Park

    Portraits of Acadia: Jen Vanegas

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park
    A park ranger waves in the passanger seat of an park-owned ambulance.

    Jen Vanegas, general ranger

  • Acadia National Park

    Portraits of Acadia: Alexa Pezzano

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park
    Park ranger smiles in front of an education campus.

    Alexa Pezzano, director of the schoodic education adventure program

  • Eileen Szychowski: Expanding Access at Grand Canyon

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Grand Canyon National Park
    • Offices: Park History Program
    Eileen Szychowski in NPS uniform, with crutches, sits on a wall with the Grand Canyon beyond.

    Eileen Szychowski understood her rights when she was prohibited from participating in a mule ride in the Grand Canyon during a 1981 visit. Although she was a skilled horseback rider, there were few accommodations or considerations for individuals with disabilities at that time. She insisted on speaking with park managers and returned as a seasonal park ranger committed to access and disability rights. She described these experiences in a 2022 oral history interview.

  • Channel Islands National Park

    My Park Story: Sarah Scruggs

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Channel Islands National Park
    woman sitting on boat wtih arch in background

    Meet Sarah Scruggs, a historic preservationist at Channel Islands National Park. “I've always had a deep connection and appreciation for history, particularly where stories have been obscured."

  • Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve

    Tania Lewis - Wildlife Biologist

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve
    A woman looks into a camera, close up.

    Tania Lewis is a wildlife biologist at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve.

  • Channel Islands National Park

    My Park Story: Bethany Szczepanski

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Channel Islands National Park
    ranger talking with kids on a bluff top

    As a child, my parents shared the national parks with me during our summer vacations. Unbeknownst to me, the park rangers during these trips awakened my desire to provide similar experiences for others.

Tags: women of the nps women in the nps women of the national park service women of nps
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Last updated: January 31, 2022

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