Trailblazer - Winifred Goldring

Suppose you were to invent a telescope that could peer through time. Focusing on the past, you might see some interesting people.

How about Winifred Goldring? Wait ... who?

Only the first woman State Paleontologist of New York, that’s who.

Born in 1888, she was one of eight children. As a girl she loved tramping through the forests, especially interesting were the Devonian rock formations.

Later she took geology in college.

In 1913, after graduating, she became an employee of New York State Museum, where she stayed until her retirement in 1954.

She became known for her displays. Instead of just putting the exhibit on a pedestal, she created scenes which showcased the item in an interesting and informative way. Usually with other items from the same period. Her idea was that museums should teach.

Her ideas were revolutionary and are still in use today. If you’ve been to a museum and seen a sabre-tooth tiger or some such in it’s ‘realistic setting,’ that thanks to Winifred Goldring.

Your telescope might catch her as she studies Devonian crinoids or the Petrified Sea Garden stromatolites. Perhaps it might peer in on her as she again tramps the forest around Gilboa, New York, studying the plants of the Devonian Period.

Winifred had a love of music, too, and took lessons in violing. Her career kept her happy and alive until 1971.

Through her, museums are now full on science education and since she pioneered the acceptance of women in her field, there are many girls growing up knowing they can become paleontologists.

She had the true spirit of a scientist which you have today, too, though instead of keeping your telescope pointed at the past, you’ll be looking at the future.