Soviet-era women pedologists

Abstract

Pedology has a complex and ambiguous history. Soil science - science is very laborious, it requires long expeditions in the most diverse regions of our country. The most important section of soil research is analytical work in laboratories using sophisticated modern equipment. A significant part of all these diverse studies is carried out by pedagogical women, but they are inexcusably short of their work and achievements. The study includes biographies and essays not only about outstanding scientists - doctors and professors, but also many talented specialists - women: ”field workers”, analysts, cartographers, editors, teachers, without a modest labor of which outstanding scientific results and new knowledge of nature would be impossible (Mirskaya et al., 1993). In many areas of soil science, many women work - more than 60% of the total number of scientists (Agababyan et al., 1995; Aleksandrova, 2001; Ammosova, 2000). In more than 100 years of history of soil science, four generations of women scientists (one generation covers a 20-year period). Some of them discovered new or successfully developed the main directions in soil science, organized laboratories or replaced men in leading positions in military and post-war years, created their own scientific schools, grew a galaxy of talented students. Others selflessly worked (and continue to work), receiving primary scientific data on expeditions, in experimental fields, in laboratories, or worked as editors, secretaries, assistants to science leaders (Agamova et al., 2009). Both of them served for the benefit of science, not betraying it in a difficult time, devoting their lives entirely to it, investing their soul and mind, giving all energy without receiving from the scientific community the due attention that they deserved.