Among those drawn early to serve in the new National Park Service were a number of women. In his 1921 Annual Report to the Secretary of the Interior, Stephen Mather took note of one…
“…In Yellowstone daily lectures on its natural features were given by Park Naturalist M. P. Skinner and Miss Mary A. Rolfe…”
Mary A. Rolfe (1881-1974) was the second woman ranger hired at the park. She earned $100 per month. Her responsibilities included giving three 30-minute lectures each day. In 1928, she wrote "The National Park Movement," an article published in Journal of Education in 1928. She also published a two- volume set for children called Our National Parks. In 1929 she wrote to Stephen Mather…
“…I feel great gratitude for all you did for me during the writing of my little readers about the Parks…Furthermore I have recently learned that is to you that I am indebted for one of the great joys of my childhood—the seeing of the twenty mule team of the borax company…”
Enid Michael (1883-1966) was one of the first women rangers at Yosemite. According to the NPS site: “An ardent naturalist-botanist, Enid was appointed a seasonal ranger in 1921, serving in that position for 20 years. Her duties included lecturing at museums, giving nature walks, and collecting and preparing plant specimens. By 1929, she had collected and mounted 1,000 plant specimens as well as recording visits by 130 bird species. Her most significant accomplishments were the creation of a wildflower garden behind the Yosemite Museum and writing 537 articles—the largest body of writing on Yosemite by any author.”
In 1929, Enid wrote to Stephen…
“It is with grief that I read…of your resignation as Director of National Parks…To me you have always been the strong hand that closed the door of the National Parks against ruthless despoilers. It gave me a feeling of happiness and security to remember that you were guardian…”
Mary A. Rolfe (above)
Enid Michael (with unidentified dancing partner) (above)
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