Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America Season 1 Episode 5 Ynes Mexia: Accomplished Mexican-American Botanist and Adventurer

In this episode of Unladylike2020: Unsung Women Who Changed America, we meet Ynes Mexia, a Mexican-American botanist and adventurer who accomplished incredible feats in the early 20th century. Ynes was born in Washington, D.C. in 1870 to a Mexican diplomat and an American mother. Her family moved to Mexico City when she was a child, and it was there that she developed a love for nature and plants.

In her twenties, Ynes traveled extensively throughout the world, often on her own. She visited Europe, Asia, and Africa, and became fluent in several languages. She even met her future husband, a Peruvian diplomat, while on a trip to Paris. However, it wasn't until she was in her 50s that she discovered her true calling: botany.

Ynes began studying botany at the University of California, Berkeley, where she quickly became known for her meticulous work and her adventurous spirit. She would often venture deep into the wilderness to collect samples, enduring harsh conditions and dangerous situations to learn more about the plants she loved so much.

In 1925, Ynes joined a team of botanists on an expedition to collect rare plants in Mexico. It was there that she made the discovery that would define her career: a new species of plant that had never before been identified. She named the plant "Mexianthus Mexianthus ynesii" in honor of herself, and it became a symbol of her incredible dedication and skill as a botanist.

Ynes continued to travel and collect plants until her death in 1938. She discovered dozens of new species and contributed countless specimens to botanical collections around the world. However, because she was a woman and a Mexican-American, she faced discrimination and barriers throughout her life. She was often excluded from professional organizations and denied the recognition and funding she deserved.

Despite these challenges, Ynes persevered and became a trailblazer for women and minorities in the field of botany. Her passion for nature and her fearless spirit continue to inspire scientists and adventurers today. In this episode of Unladylike2020, we explore Ynes Mexia's remarkable life and legacy, and celebrate the accomplishments of one of America's greatest unsung heroes.