Mary C. Baltz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mary C. Baltz
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Baltz as a Survey Party Chief in Canastota, New York
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| Born | 1923 United States
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| Died | September 2011 |
| Other names | Mary Baltz Tyler |
| Alma mater | Cornell University |
| Occupation | Soil scientist |
| Known for | first woman soil scientist officially assigned in the field for the American Soil Conservation Service |
| Scientific career | |
| Institutions | Soil Conservation Service |
Mary C. Baltz (1923–2011) was an American soil scientist. A soil scientist is someone who studies soil, its types, and how it can be used and protected. Mary Baltz was very important because she was the first woman to work as a soil scientist in the field for the American Soil Conservation Service. This was a big step for women in science!
Mary Baltz's Career
Mary Baltz joined the soil survey team in 1946. She had just graduated from Cornell University. She started as a Junior Soil Surveyor and later became a Survey Party Chief. This meant she led a team of people who studied soil.
During World War II, many men were away fighting. This created new chances for women to work in jobs that were usually only for men. Mary Baltz took this chance to become a soil scientist.
By 1951, Mary was mapping soils on farms in several counties in New York. These included Madison, Oneida, and Lewis counties. Later, she was given the job of measuring maps for the entire state of New York.
To measure the maps, she would cut out parts of the soil maps. Then she would weigh these pieces. The weight was then changed into acres, which is a way to measure land area.
Mary Baltz also hired a team of women to work with her during the winter months. She worked for the Soil Conservation Service until the 1960s.
Fun Facts About Mary Baltz
Mary Baltz was mentioned in a special part of a podcast called The Skeptics' Guide to the Universe. This part was called "Forgotten Superheroes of Science." It highlighted important scientists who might not be as well-known.
See also
In Spanish: Mary C. Baltz para niños
