Joyce Winifred Vickery facts for kids
Joyce Winifred Vickery (born December 15, 1908 – died May 29, 1979) was an important Australian botanist. She was an expert in taxonomy, which is the science of classifying living things. She also became well-known in Australia for forensic botany, which uses plants to help solve mysteries or crimes.
Early Life and Learning
Joyce Vickery was born in a Sydney suburb called Strathfield. She went to school at the Methodist Ladies' College in Burwood. After that, she studied at the University of Sydney. She earned her first degree, a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), in 1931.
After graduating, she became a botany demonstrator. This meant she helped teach other students about plants. She also continued her own studies and received her Masters degree in 1933. Joyce became a member of important science groups like the Linnean and Royal societies of New South Wales.
Her Career as a Botanist
In August 1936, Joyce Vickery was offered a job at the National Herbarium of New South Wales. A herbarium is like a library for dried plant specimens. She was offered a position as an assistant botanist. However, she first said no to the job. This was because she would not be paid the same as a man with her same skills and education.
After some discussions, her pay offer was increased. She then accepted the job. This made her the very first female researcher to be appointed to the New South Wales Herbarium.
Joyce Vickery worked with another botanist, Lilian Ross Fraser. Together, they discovered a plant called Lomandra hystrix. They published their discovery in a science paper in 1937.
At the herbarium, Joyce focused on plant taxonomy. Her biggest project was classifying a large group of grasses called Gramineae. She worked very hard on this. In 1959, she earned her Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) degree for her important work on the classification of Poa grasses.
Later Life and Legacy
Joyce Vickery was recognized for her work in 1962. She was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.). She retired from her job at the herbarium in 1968.
Even after retiring, she continued to do research. She was also involved in several projects to protect nature. Joyce Vickery passed away from cancer in 1979 at her home in Cheltenham.
The Linnean Society of NSW honored her after her death. They renamed a grant fund after her. This was because she had given money to the fund every year since 1971. She also left a large donation to the fund in her will. She had also supported the Society in other ways, including being on their council since 1969.
See also
In Spanish: Joyce Winifred Vickery para niños
