Alice Wilson, First Woman Geologist With The Geological Survey of Canada

Alice Evelyn Wilson (1881-1964) was the first woman to be employed in a professional capacity by the Geological Survey of Canada. Though from an academically gifted family, prolonged ill-health during youth hampered her studies; yet it brought also the interest in geology that was to determine her career. Her researches into the invertebrate palaeontology and stratigraphy of the Palaeozoic strata of eastern Canada were distinguished. Unfortunately, in a male-dominated environment, their value was slow in gaining recognition and Alice's promotions came tardily; nor did she ever gain the professional status that was her due. Only very belatedly, with post-retirement publicity and the naming after her of Alice Wilson Hall in the Geological Survey of Canada's Ottawa headquarters, was the importance of her work to be properly recognized.