by Kate Sessions was a prominent figure in environmental science in California. She was born in San Francisco in 1857, and her impact was most seen by the city of San Diego. Sessions had a love and affection for plants and knew the importance of taking care of the environment from a young age. In 1885, she and her friends Mr. and Mrs. Solon Blaisdell purchased the San Diego Nursery. Sessions went on to own several nurseries and a flower shop in Northern California, and she used these resources to influence the horticulture in California (1).
In addition to educating citizens about the importance of the environment, Kate Sessions also made a great impact with hands-on landscaping. In the city of San Diego, she is regarded by many as the “mother of Balboa Park”, but many also consider her as the “Johnny Appleseed” of San Diego. These epithets came about due to her contribution in the city of San Diego. In 1892, Sessions had a contract with the city of San Diego to have 100 trees planted a year for 10 years. Before Sessions transformed San Diego into a lush, beautiful landscape, the streets were barren and lifeless (2). One knock against Sessions’ plan to make San Diego city more lush was the implementation of invasive species. Many people nowadays critique this decision, but it was not well-known information for people that foreign species could be harmful (2).
As a result of her wonderful contributions to much of California, Sessions was the first woman awarded with the Frank N. Meyer medal of the American Genetic Association in 1938 (1). After her death in 1940, she was honored with a statue in Balboa Park in San Diego. Women like Sessions are great examples of the wonderful contributions of women in science. Many of the ideals and practices Sessions followed all the way back in the late 19th century fuel the green movement of today. There are numerous organizations protecting the trees and planting trees, and it is a major initiative in the world today.
The importance of trees to keeping our air clean and safe is immeasurable. Sessions knew this, and she both acted upon it and taught many people the importance of it. She published important writing in newsletters and articles like California Garden (3). Sessions was way ahead of her time in regards to her work with environmental science.
Even on the Colby college campus, the green initiative is a major one. Protecting and growing our environment has major importance here on campus. To think that all the way back in the late 19th century Sessions took the initiative to expand the environmental presence in her city is remarkable. Sessions made incredible strides as a female scientist that are still valued in contemporary society.