Ynés Mexía: The Botanist Who Bloomed Late

 

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Ynés Mexía and Sister, Amy Mexía |1879| Courtesy UC Berkeley, Bancroft Library

Ynés Mexía and Husband, Herman Laue |1898| Courtesy California Academy of Sciences

UC Berkeley Expedition Group |1923| Courtesy California Academy of Sciences

Denali National Park |1928| Courtesy California Academy of Sciences

Tillandsia Mexiae |1937| Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Ynés Mexía in Oaxaca, Mexico |1937| Courtesy California Academy of Sciences

Mimosa Mexiae | Public Domain

Ynés Mexía: The Botanist Who Bloomed Late

As National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15–October 15) comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to celebrate a trailblazing Mexican American who made her mark in science—Ynés Mexía.

Born in 1870 to a Mexican diplomat and an American mother, Mexía’s life took many turns before she discovered her true calling. After two failed marriages and a battle with her health, she moved to San Francisco seeking recovery. There, her love of the outdoors sparked a new beginning.

At 51 years old, Mexía enrolled at the University of California, Berkeley, to study botany—a rare path for women of her time. She went on to lead daring solo expeditions across North and South America, collecting more than 145,000 plant specimens, including over 500 new species. Her work helped shape modern botany and conservation efforts, and her story continues to inspire women in STEM today.

As Mexía once said,

“I don’t think there’s any place in the world where a woman can’t venture alone.”

Her journey reminds us that it’s never too late to start again, follow your passion, and make an impact.

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🎧 Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month 

Listen to the full episode of Pretty Strong to hear Ynés Mexía’s remarkable story—the woman who ventured where few dared to go and proved that discovery knows no age or boundary.

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🔗Helpful Links

• Hispanic Heritage Month | National Museum of the American Latino
• The strange story of Mexico's most brilliant botanist
• 145,000 Plants with Adventuress Ynes Mexia
• Untold Stories Ynes Mexia
• Ynés Mexía-Accomplished Latina Botanist
• Pretty Strong Pinterest Books and Resources

🎙️About Pretty Strong

Hosted by Sherri Whitley Jernigan, Pretty Strong celebrates the incredible strength, creativity, and resilience of women from all walks of life. Each episode highlights women who’ve overcome obstacles, challenged expectations, and left their mark on history. Tune in wherever you listen to podcasts and discover stories that inspire us all to be pretty strong.