Mammoth Cave celebrates female park rangers

MAMMOTH CAVE, KY.- Women’s contributions to exploration and preservation have left a lasting legacy, particularly at Mammoth Cave National Park. Today, female park rangers are a common presence, but before the establishment of the National Parks Service, women played vital roles in shaping the park’s history.

Pioneering women, like Pat Crowther, made monumental discoveries that changed the course of exploration. In the 1970s, Crowther’s connection between the Flint Ridge system and Mammoth Cave cemented the park’s status as the world’s longest cave. Jessie Cooper, a spokesperson for Mammoth Cave, reflects on the lasting impact of those groundbreaking discoveries. “People like Pat Crowther have made an impact here, and we still feel those today,” Cooper states. The women of Mammoth Cave not only changed the landscape of exploration but also continue to inspire future generations. Their work serves as a powerful reminder that women’s contributions in this field are both profound and enduring.