Anna Jespersen
Anna Jespersen (December 14, 1895 - July 15, 1989) was an American geologist who had a 45-year scientific career in geological and technical writing. Having had the opportunity to study at several universities, travel around the globe, and become an active member in a number of prestigious clubs, Jespersen was an influential woman in the geological world. Jespersen also contributed to creating a positive impact in the world by working for the Arctic Institute and the United Nations. Early life and education. Jespersen was born on December 14, 1895, in Dubuque, Iowa, to Oline and John Jespersen. She  had two sisters and three brothers, which made her one of six children. At the age of 5, she started primary school in Clinton, Iowa, but then transferred to another primary school located in Wheatland, Iowa. She finished secondary school in Webster, South Dakota. At the age of 19, Jespersen worked as a school teacher in Retlaw, Alberta and then moved to Day County, South Dakota, to teach at a rural school. After World War I, Jespersen moved to Brookings, South Dakota where she studied at South Dakota State College. After graduating, she then taught for two more years before  returning to her alma mater to work as an assistant registrar. Jespersen also attended George Washington University where she obtained her master's degree in Geology. She was a geologist with the U.S Geological Survey in Washington, D.C. In 1963, she co-published the geological survey, the Aeromagnetic Interpretation of the Geology of the Greenwood Lake and Sloatsburg quadrangles, New York, and New Jersey, with fellow geologist Andrew Griscom. In 1964, she published another geological survey, Aeromagnetic Interpretation of the Globe - Miami Copper District, Gila and Pinal Counties, Arizona. Throughout her life, Jespersen was also part of many clubs including  the Washington Art Club, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, Geological Society of America, and was also an active member of the Senior Citizen's Organization in Lethbridge, Alberta Canada. Work. At the age of 19, Jespersen started teaching at a rural school located in Day County South Dakota. She was also a geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey in Washington, D.C. From 1941 to 1945, she worked as an editor with John Wiley & Sons publishing company before deciding to move back to Washington, D.C. and continue working for the U.S. Geological Survey. In 1963, she co-published the geological survey, "Aeromagnetic  Interpretation of the Geology of the Greenwood Lake and Sloatsburg quadrangles, New York and New Jersey," with fellow geologist Andrew Griscom. In 1964, Jespersen created a map titled Aeromagnetic Interpretation of the Globe - Miami Copper District, Gila and Pinal Counties, Arizona. This map was created under the publishing organization U.S. Geological Survey. To create this, quadrangles in the highlands were surveyed by the Geological Survey in order to gather additional information in regard to the magnetite deposits within bodies of water and marshes located in the Precambrian belt. These areas were aero magnetically surveyed using a continuously recording AN/ASQ-3A  airborne magnetometer installed on a twin-engine aircraft. The flight path of the aircraft was recorded during the process by a gyro stabilized 35-millimeter continuous-strip-film camera as well as a radar altimeter to ensure accuracy in the map.The data collected within this survey and the corresponding map contributes to the geologic mapping processes significantly. The mapping process is now able to account for more detail by allowing for different layers of rock to be analyzed in terms of magnetic data and then illustrated in a comprehensive fashion. Within their studies, Jesperson and Hotz mapped out for  four different kinds of rocks. In their discovery they found Meta-Sedimentary rocks, Quartz-Plagioclase Gneiss, Hornblende Granite and Granite Pegmatite. Retirement and death. After her retirement from the U.S. Geological Survey at the age of 70, Jespersen was a consultant to the government of Ghana for 15 months, and she also worked with the Arctic Institute and the United Nations. After working with these organizations, Jespersen toured the world before settling in Lethbridge, Alberta to be close with her family and to write her final memoirs. Jespersen died in 1989 at the age of 94.