Worldly Wise: the first women in the IUGS International History of Geological Sciences Commission (INHIGEO)

The International History of Geological Sciences Commission (INHIGEO) was founded some 60 years ago in 1967; few women were invited to join the ranks in the 20 th century. Three women out of 31 delegates were invited to attend the first INHIGEO conference held at the 23rd International Geological Congress in Yerevan, Armenia: two from the Soviet Union, one from Britain: Irina V. Batjushkova, Joan M. Eyles, and Aleksandra I. Ravikovitch. The numbers barely increased during the first decades. Only Ravikovitch made the higher Bureau briefly at the 1972 Montreal International Geological Congress meeting, with two further Corresponding members elected: Antonina Halicka and Ekaterina A. Radkevich. Later in the 1980s to 90s, American Ursula Marvin and Italian Nicoletta Morello made their mark: the former twice being elected Secretary-General, the latter as INHIGEO conference organiser. In the 21 st century, female membership increased significantly and INHIGEO had further women secretaries-General and gained its first female president, vice presidents and other long-standing members who have contributed significantly; early career members were chosen.