September, 2018 - Alice Eastwood - A Cure for What Ails You

Alice Eastwood (1859-1953)

Born in Toronto Canada, was an early ecofeminist.  The family moved to Denver when she was a teenager, and would forgo college in lieu of teaching high school after graduating as valedictorian. She was a self-taught botanist, relying on botany manuals and local experience. She was known to wander the Rocky Mountains by herself looking for specimens, including climbing Mount Whitney. In 1891, her specimen collection was reviewed by the California Academy of Sciences, and she was hired to assist in the CAS’s Herbarium, being promoted to joint-curator in 1892. During her life she published over 310 scientific articles, and authored 395 land plant species names.  She strongly advocated that local American flora should be preserved, and protected against disappearance or natural disasters. There are currently 17 recognized species named for her. She was also well known for her disregard of social convention, especially on how a lady should dress, and in her degree of candor. 

The Drink:

A Cure for What Ails You
2 1/2 oz mead
1 1/2 oz ginger beer
1 oz lemon juice

Drinkability: 3 - 4
Drunkability: 3
Accessibility: 3
Taxic Diversity: 3
Priority for Conservation: 3 - 4

Comments: Opinions differed depending on how well you like spicy ginger beer. 

From "Women in Conservation" hosted by Alabazam and Boiler Maker