Alice Evelyn Wilson, MBE, FRSC, FRCGS (August 26, 1881 – April 15, 1964) was Canada's first female geologist. Her scientific studies of rocks and fossils in the Ottawa region between 1913 and 1963 remain a respected source of knowledge.
Early life
Wilson was born in Cobourg, Ontario in 1881 to her father Dr. John Wilson, a professor of classics at the University of Toronto. From childhood she was often exposed to nature during canoeing and camping trips with her father and two brothers. Alice's early fascination with palaeontology, also had roots in her childhood, where she had already begun collecting fossils from the Cobourg Limestones near her home. This passion for palaeontology led her to transition into a role as a museum assistant within the palaeontology department of the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in 1909. These trips sparked her interest in fossils and the study of geology. Going outdoors also assisted in improving her struggling health. During her time in college, her brothers were already critically acclaimed experts in their respective fields of geology and mathematics.
Life
When Alice reached the age of 20, she made the decision to enroll in Classics studies at Victoria College in Toronto, aspiring to become a teacher. It remains somewhat uncertain whether her choice to pursue teaching was a genuine personal preference or a result of societal expectations at the time. According to her close friend Winston Sinclair, Alice once confided that during her youth, teaching was often viewed as the most socially acceptable career path for young women. It is possible that this societal influence played a role in her decision to enter the teaching profession.
Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65, as dictated by the prevailing laws of the time, Dr. Wilson found herself in a unique situation. It is noteworthy that her departure led to the recruitment of five individuals to undertake the tasks she had been handling. However, even in retirement, her commitment to her work and her sense of adventure remained undiminished. Remarkably, despite officially retiring, Dr. Wilson continued to contribute her expertise to the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), volunteering her services without compensation. Her enduring dedication to the field is evident in her decision to remain engaged in geology-related activities. Dr. Wilson's sense of adventure extended beyond her professional life. During her retirement years, she embarked on exciting journeys that took her to diverse destinations. She ventured to Brazil, where she explored the depths of the Amazon jungle, and she also visited Mexico to actively participate in the International Geological Congress. These adventures underscore her passion for exploration and her lifelong commitment to the field of geology.
Challenges
Alice Wilson's significant contributions to our understanding of the geology of Ontario and Quebec were motivated in part by gender-based restrictions within the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC). The prevailing policy at the time prevented women, including Wilson, from participating in field along side male colleagues, a restrict that persisted till 1970. Determined to overcoming this obstacle, Wilson proposed an alternative approach to conducting field work. She successfully persuaded the GSC to grant her permission on solo research expeditions in the relatively unexplored Ottawa-St. Lawrence Valley. Undeterred by the challenges, Wilson embarked on these expeditions, traversing the terrain on foot and by bicycle to study the geological formations. When faced with the GSC's refusal to provide her with a car, an amenity routinely furnished to male counterparts in the field, she took matters into her own hands by purchasing a vehicle to facilitate her research endeavours. Despite being a reputable geologist in her field, Alice was constantly denied promotions simply because she was female. She also had difficult relationships with her colleagues, as she was often left out and no one wanted to include her their projects. Alice's educational journey also faced challenges. Her education took an unexpected turn during her final year of university when she was afflicted by a severe bout of anaemia. Her health deteriorated to the point where she was unable to complete her coursework, leading her to discontinue her studies. Following a period of recovery spanning several years, she embarked on a new chapter in 1907 by accepting a position as a clerk at the University of Toronto.