March is Women’s History Month. With the many strides women have made, we chatted with a few of our women in science at the Garden about their careers, inspirations, and advice.
Get to know the women of the Africa & Madagascar department!
The Missouri Botanical Garden’s Africa and Madagascar Program operates in several countries across continental Africa, and has had a sustained presence in Madagascar since the 1980s. Our primary activities include: Botanical exploration and research in plant systematics, including taxonomy.
What do you do at the Garden?
My responsibility is to coordinate the community based conservation, managed by MBG and the local communities at 12 priority areas for plant conservation.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Analysis of botanical information in Madagascar’s botanical database to identify 80 priority areas for plant conservation, select 12 of them and create, through a long and complex process, 12 new protected areas to be included in Madagascar’s national system of protected areas.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
Alison Richard, she is not only professor, teacher, publishing many articles but inspired me in the deep reflection of social aspect of conservation, the importance of the future generation in all we are doing in our work.
Parting message to girls and women?
Young girls people, such as those in my team, now seem to care more about the environment than my generation. I hope as they get older they are able to maintain this commitment. If they can, then the future is bright indeed and not only can the decline of nature be slowed, but it can even be reversed. That’s essential for Madagascar.
What do you do at the Garden?
I manage and curate herbarium collections from Africa and Madagascar. I am also an experienced field collector, working in many different countries.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Being able to continue researching, learning, and educating about plants and botanical diversity.
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
All the women before me who have stood fast in their desire for achieving equality and respect among all people.
Parting message to girls and women?
Do not give up if your goal is not achieved on the first, second, or third try. Keep showing up.
What do you do at the Garden?
I study the flora of Africa and Madagascar.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
Field expeditions!
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
My grandmother. She was illiterate and became a single mother in Iran raising 5 children, 3 she sadly outlived.
Parting message to girls and women?
Keep going.
What do you do at the Garden?
I am coordinating the Research Unit of the Garden Program in Madagascar. This Unit has been dealing with Exploration on various ecosystems, Systematic of the malagasy flora and Ethnobotany activities.
What’s been a highlight of your career?
I started with a project to develop the TROPICOS database for the flora of Madagascar. During my 30 years of work within the programme, with my colleagues I have been able to support it in all aspects of using this unique database to serve Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, for its conservation and sustainable management (Red List, KBA, sustainable management, etc.)
Who’s been an inspiration to you?
Dr. Patricia Wright, the world-well known primatologist, who first came to Madagascar in 1986 to study lemurs but she has continually put her efforts into the conservation of Madagascar’s biodiversity as a whole. I agree with her message: Madagascar is “closer to the brink of extinction with so many more species.”. Therefore, saving plants and animals in Madagascar extends beyond committing to the protection and stewardship of vulnerable creatures. It also could provide benefits for people”.
Parting message to girls and women?
The future of Madagascar’s biodiversity is in our hands – especially in the hands of the younger generations. Biodiversity for the well-being of the population must not remain at the message stage, just as we must seek the right balance between the three pillars of sustainability.
Thanks, ladies! Stay tuned throughout the rest of Women’s History Month for more highlights from our women in science.
A. Robinson | Digital and Community Engagement Specialist
Thanks to contributing experts.
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