Mary Arizona "Zonia" Baber (August 24, 1862 – January 10, 1956)[3] was an American geographer and geologist best known for developing methods for teaching geography.

[7] From 1901 to 1921 Baber worked as an associate professor and head of geography and geology in the Department of Education at the University of Chicago.

[9]Baber promoted field trips and first-hand experience rather than the memorization of facts and definitions, but she also worked to improve conventional learning aids.

During her time as chairwoman of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), she created a committee to scrutinize textbooks in order to replace antiquated or inappropriate phrases and concepts with ones intended to stop the perpetuation of negative prejudices.

[14] As previously mentioned, Baber served as chairwoman of the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, as well as a member of the executive committee of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People's (NAACP) Chicago branch, and as chair of the Race Relations Committee of the Chicago Women's Club[15] Baber also traveled extensively—both for her professional career and for her advocacy work—to attend international conferences and events.

Unlike a regular school desk, Zonia's featured trays and compartments meant to store learning supplies.