All posts from March 8, 2019

Looking for a challenge? The Smithsonian Institution Archives and the Smithsonian Transcription Center are teaming up for a #HerNaturalHistory-themed transcription challenge. Starting today (8 March), help a team of #volunpeers transcribe field notes from conservation biologist Devra Kleiman and botanist Cleofé Calderon. Dive into observations of golden lion tamarins with Kleiman, who worked at Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park from 1972 to 2001. And head to South America with Calderón to collect grasses for Smithsonian’s Department of Botany.

Women have made remarkable contributions to biodiversity research. From collecting specimens and serving as scientific illustrators to conducting and publishing research, authoring natural history books, and more, women have overcome many social and cultural obstacles and gender barriers in what has historically been a male-dominated field to help further our understanding of the natural world. While the work of many remained unacknowledged or under-appreciated during their lifetimes, mounting initiatives to encourage and support women in the sciences have facilitated a growing recognition of the achievements of women in natural history — both past and present.

This Women’s History Month, we are excited to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women to natural history through an international social media campaign produced in collaboration with our partners — Her Natural History: A Celebration of Women in Natural History.

Kicking-off with an all-day social media blitz today, 8 March 2019 (International Women’s Day,) and continuing throughout the month, Her Natural History aims to increase awareness of and information about women in the biodiversity sciences.