First Female State Paleontologist of New York Winifred Goldring February 1, 1888 - January 30, 1971 First Female State Paleontologist of New York

Winifred’s Early Life and Education Born February 1, 1888 in Kenwood, New York. One of nine children of Frederick, an orchid specialist, and Mary, a teacher, Goldring. 1890 her family moved to Albany to establish a greenhouse business. 1905 graduated as valedictorian from Milne School. She planned on majoring in classical languages at Wellesley College, but became interested in geology. 1909 she received her A.B. with honors from Wellesley. 1912 she received her A.M. Summer of 1913 she studied at Columbia University. 1921 she took graduate classes at John Hopkins University.

University Involvement and Careers 1913 she taught geology, geography, and petrology at Wellesley and taught as an assistant at Boston’s Teacher’s School of Science. 1914 she accepted a position at the New York State Museum as a Scientific Expert. 1915 she was promoted to Assistant Paleontologist. She worked as Associate Paleontologist, Paleobotanist, Assistant State Paleontologist, and Provisional State Paleontologist. 1939 she was appointed State Paleontologist and became the first woman to hold a position at this level in the world. She retired in 1954.

Accomplishments and Awards 1949 she became the first woman president of the Paleontological Society. She also served as the vise president of the Geological Society of America. Awarded honorary degrees from Russell Sage College and Smith College. Winifred also wrote several publications on paleontology. Some of her handbooks are used in college courses.

Sources Hernick, Linda. “Winifred Goldring.” www.nysm.nysed.gov/womenshistory/goldring “Winifred Goldring.” womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_goldring “Winifred Goldring Pioneer in New York state paleontologist.” www.timesunion.com/promo/woe/pages/goldring_tif