Mary Anning was a fossil collector and paleontologist whose discoveries challenged the traditional scientific views in paleontology. In the early 19th century, her findings—especially of ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs—played a crucial role in the understanding of prehistoric life and the concept of extinction. Anning's meticulous work, conducted in the male-dominated field of geology, contributed to the validation of Charles Lyell's theories on geological time. Despite her significant contributions, Anning faced numerous challenges due to gender biases in science, but her legacy continues to inspire future generations of women in paleontology.