Polly Mead Patraw

Pauline "Polly" Mead Patraw (1904–2001) was an American botanist who spent her life conducting research of the plant life of the American Southwest. She was the first female ranger-naturalist at the Grand Canyon National Park and the second female ranger-naturalist in the National Park Service. She worked for the park from 1929 to 1931.

Later life Mead was engaged to the park's assistant superintendent, Preston Patraw, in March 1931 and the couple married in May 1931. After marrying Preston, Polly Mead Patraw retired from her ranger-naturalist position to become a house wife. During an interview later, Mrs. Patraw was asked about this decision and was reported saying, "I just said, 'Yes, dear,' as we did in those days."

After his retirement, the family moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Mead died in 2001.