Braving the Grand Canyon’s Rapids

In 1938 two women botanists broke with convention and set off on an expedition trip along the Colorado River that would see them risk their lives over rapids in the name of research. Two years ago, science journalist Melissa Sevigny retraced their adventure, whitewater rafting the same rapids and sleeping under the stars to learn more about who these women were—and why their work still influences the scientific landscape of America today.