Vnes Mexia (1870-1938) Botanist who accumulated 150,000 specimens

Vnes Enriquetta Juliette Mexia in 1909, approaching 40 years of age, suffered a mental and physical breakdown. While recovering in Northern California she became interested in botany.

She enrolled at University California Berkeley in 1925. and went on a collecting trip in Mexico. In middle age Mexia had found her purpose in life writing, I have a job (where) I produce something real and lasting.

Over the next 13 years she travelled from the northern regions of Alaska to the southern modest tip of South America - Tierra del Fuego.

Her ‘habits’ surprised people -she travelled alone, rode on horse back, wore trousers and she preferred to sleep outside even if beds or indoor accommodation was available.

Her challenges included poisonous berries, dangerous terrain, bogs and earthquakes for the sake of her research.

In 1938, while on an expedition to Mexico, she became ill and was forced to abort her trip. On returning to the USA she was diagnosed with cancer and died a month later at the age of 68.

'All who knew Ynes Mexis could not fail to be impressed by her friendly unassuming spirit, and by that rare courage which enabled her travel, much of the time alone, in lands where few would dare to.
William E. Colby secretary of the Sierra Club.

Sources
Wikipedia
Standing on her Shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson