Florence Bascom

GEOLOGIST
Taught an entire generation of female geologists
FIRST:
- woman to earn a doctorate from Johns Hopkins University -- even though she was forced to sit behind a screen in class so the male students wouldn't be distracted
- geologist hired by the U.S. Geological Survey
- woman to be elected a fellow in the Geological Society of America (GSA)
- woman to serve as vice president of the GSA
Founded the geology department at Bryn Mawr College
In addition to teaching, she worked in the field every summer, mapping rock formations throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey, taking samples and studying them during the school year
Until she retired in 1928, nearly EVERY woman who became a geologist in America studied with her
The Geological Society of America named its Florence Bascom Geologic Mapping Award in her honor

Photo by Smithsonian Institution from United States (Florence Bascom (1862-1945)) [No restrictions], via Wikimedia Commons

Bibliography: Ignotofsky, Rachel. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. New York: Ten Speed Press, 2016. Print.
Maggs, Sam. Wonder Women: 25 Innovators, Inventors, and Trailblazers Who Changed History. Philadelphia: Quirk Books, 2016. Print.
Ogilvie, Marilyn B. "Bascom, Florence." Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science, Vol. 1, Routledge, 2000, 87-88.
Florence Bascom Geologic Mapping Award. https://gsafweb.org/fund/gsa-geological-mapping-award/

Support this organization dedicated to preserving her story:

Geological Society of America Foundation

Books by this Awesome Woman

The Ancient Volcanic Rocks of South Mountain, Pennsylvania

Biographies for Kids and Young Adults

Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World

Research

The Biographical Dictionary of Women in Science

Spread the word!

t-shirt featuring the names of several women in science

hoodie sweatshirt featuring the name of Florence Bascom

Meet more Awesome Women like this

She sells sea shells down by the sea shore.

In this woman's closet, you're just as likely to find a diving suit or space suit as you are a business suit.

When the school she was teaching at closed, this woman opened her own

Can't decide which Awesome Woman to meet next? Place your fate in the Librarian's hands... if you dare! Mwahahaha!

Please note that while Awesome Women Library tries to include links only to media from reputable sources, we cannot attest to the quality or content of any media listed on this website. Our mission is to introduce you to these Awesome Women and give you a wide array of resources for learning more. We haven't read everything listed and are not a recommendation site, nor is this meant to be an exhaustive catalog of every book related to this woman -- there's just too much out there! Happy reading!!