Born: 25 June 1894, United States
Died: 1972
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Frieda Berlin
The following is republished from the National Park Service. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
Frieda B. Nelson
Yellowstone National Park
Park Ranger, 1925-1926
• Born Frieda Berlin on June 25, 1894 in Sedalia, Missouri.
• Married Norman L. Nelson on October 1, 1915.
• Visited Yellowstone National Park in 1924 and was inspired to apply to the ranger service.
• Became a temporary park ranger in 1925, the “only woman in the park ranger service” that year.
• Worked in the information office, patrolled campgrounds on horseback, and performed clerical duties at the chief ranger’s office.
• Wore the standard NPS uniform. The jacket was tailored for her but the breeches required suspenders to keep them up.
• Appointed “special aide” to Governor Nellie T. Ross (Wyoming) during the annual opening ceremony of Yellowstone National Park in 1925.
• Was one of five women park rangers at Yellowstone during the summer of 1926.
• Resigned to accept other employment on August 31, 1926.
• Following her short NPS career, she returned home to Missouri and over time worked for several financial and insurance companies.
• Served as a charter member of the Sedalia Business and Professional Club, serving as its president from 1927-1928.
• Traveled to Vienna, Austria in 1931 as the first international representative to the Business and Professional Women’s Convention.
• Became a notable business woman in the area and was invited to give talks about women and business.
• Died in March 1972 at her home in Sedalia.