Winifred Goldring

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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