Polly Mead Patraw

Polly Mead Patraw was the first female ranger-naturalist at the Grand Canyon National Park and the second female ranger-naturalist in the National Park Service. She worked for the park from 1929 to 1931. She spent her life conducting research of the plant and flower life of the Southwest.

Experiencing the Grand Canyon

Polly Mead Patraw first visited the North Rim of the Grand Canyon in 1927 as part of an undergraduate western National Parks field trip. At the time she was earning her bachelor's degree in Botany. After graduation, her benefactor and Aunt gave her the choice to go to Europe or to return to the Grand Canyon. Polly Mead Patraw chose to return to the Grand Canyon and spent the summers of 1928 and 1929 doing research there for her master's thesis. As part of her research, it was reported that she would take overnight trips exploring the Canyon with nothing but a sleeping pad and a pistol. Her research focused on the causes of the abrupt tree line throughout the Kaibab Plateau – North Rim Parkway.

Becoming a Ranger-Naturalist

Polly Mead Patraw originally applied for a Ranger position at the Forest Service but was denied the ability to be a Ranger in this department based on gender. She then applied for the same position, but in the South Rim of the Canyon. Patraw was accepted for the position and was sworn in on August 1, 1929 by future husband, Preston Patraw.

Later life

Preston Patraw worked as the park's Assistant Superintendent. The couple was engaged in March 1931. After Marrying Preston Patraw, Polly Mead Patraw retired from her Ranger-Naturalist position to become a house wife. During an interview later, Mrs. Patraw was asked about this decision and was reported saying, “I just said, ‘Yes, dear,’ as we did in those days.” The Patraws moved from park to park as Preston was transferred to different departments. Polly Mead Patraw continued to study and write about botany. In 1954 the Patraws returned to the Grand Canyon with the promotion of Preston Patraw to the Grand Canyon Superintendent. After Mr.Partraw's retirement, the family moved to Sante Fe where Polly Mead Patraw died in 2001.

The standard author abbreviation Patraw is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.^[1]

References

^ International Plant Names Index. Patraw.
^ Betty Leavengood, Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped by Landscape, Grand Canyon: AZ: Grand Canyon Association, 2004.
^ R. Bryce Workman, “National Park Service Uniforms: Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts, 1918-1991,” National Park Service, No. 4 (1998).
^ Grand Canyon National Park, “Insider’s Look at Grand Canyon: Webisode #33 – Women History Month Transcript.” “Canyon Lodges: Grand Canyon,” PBS.
^ Zim. "Polly Mead Patraw." History By Zim: Beyond the Textbook. Zim, 28 Aug. 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.

[1] International Plant Names Index. Patraw.

[2] Betty Leavengood, Grand Canyon Women: Lives Shaped by Landscape, Grand Canyon: AZ: Grand Canyon Association, 2004.

[3] R. Bryce Workman, “National Park Service Uniforms: Breeches, Blouses, and Skirts, 1918-1991,” National Park Service, No. 4 (1998).

[4] Grand Canyon National Park, “Insider’s Look at Grand Canyon: Webisode #33 – Women History Month Transcript.” “Canyon Lodges: Grand Canyon,” PBS.

[5] Zim. "Polly Mead Patraw." History By Zim: Beyond the Textbook. Zim, 28 Aug. 2013. Web. 3 Mar. 2016.

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