Schmidt, Ruth A. M., 1916-2014

Ruth A. M. Schmidt (b. Apr. 22, 1916, Brooklyn, NY–d. March 29, 2014, Anchorage, AK) was a geologist and a pioneer for women scientists. During World War II, Schmidt was recruited by Columbia University Professor A. K. Lobeck to serve as an assistant, the first female graduate student to teach all-male classes at Columbia. Schmidt was also involved in civil rights for ethnic minorities and was involved in the Washington Cooperative Bookshop; she was investigated twice for disloyalty to the United States but cleared both times. From 1943-1963 she worked for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) in several different capacities. When she left the USGS, Schmidt moved to Alaska where she co-founded the Alaska Geological Society and was a professor at University of Alaska Anchorage.