Women in Antarctica Changing Roles Among the “Frozen Chosen” A Presentation for Women’s History Month 2002 At Lucent

Antarctica: Bottom of the World

Antarctica: Location Map courtesy of the Perry-Casteneda Collection

Antarctica: Where Are We? Map courtesy of National Science Foundation

Antarctica: Cutaway View Diagram courtesy of National Science Foundation

First Women on The Ice (1940s-1950s)

Edith (“Jackie”) Ronne Scientist, Correspondent Married explorer Finn Ronne (1943) Helped plan expedition Initially objected to going (did not want expedition undermined) Collected seismology and tides data Handled publicity for the expedition

Jenny Darlington ”Tourist” Talked into going by Edith Ronne Her relatives funded much of the expedition’s cost First female winter-over (with Ronne) 4 months pregnant at expedition’s end (Yikes!) Positive addition to group

“Taking everything into consideration, I do not think women belong in Antarctica” – Jennie Darlington, first woman to winter over in Antarctic (with Edith Ronne), 1947

First Steps Forward (1960s and 1970s)

First Women At South Pole Scientists

Michelle Raney Physician – 1971 First American woman to winter over at South Pole Acted as doctor and dentist Advocated benefits of women in Antarctica Photo courtesy of Barbara Land

“The introduction and integration of women into the Antarctic milieu, specifically the winterover parties, provides significant opportunities for medical, public health, psychosocial, and sociological research” – Michelle Raney, MD, the first American woman to winter over at South Pole

Mary Alice McWhinney Marine biologist – 1970s First woman to winter over at McMurdo Station First woman science leader of that station Marine lab at Palmer Station named for her Photo courtesy of Barbara Land

Yuan deVries Molecular biologist Molecular biologist Worked with husband, Arthur, on antifreeze protein research Co-founder of the first modern research aquarium at McMurdo Station Photo courtesy of Barbara Land

Gaining Equal Footing (1980s and 1990s)

Roberta (“Robbie”) Score Geologist s Crary Lab supervisor Geologist Found the “Mars Rock” (ALH84001) Photos courtesy of Florida Today THIS IS NOT “THE” ROCK

Betty (“B.K.”) Grant Communications Specialist present Supervisor of South Pole Information Systems Wintered over several times (and may again) 12 seasons there (and counting!) Photo courtesy of Lisa Beal

Liv Arneson, Ann Bancroft Explorers – 1990s Hold numerous women’s ‘first’ records for polar exploration Used high tech to connect to Internet during South Pole expedition

Jerri Nielsen Physician South Pole physician Fought cancer there Wrote book on this Many TV appearances Promoted telemedicine Book cover courtesy of Talk Miramax Books

“Here, in this lonely outpost… I have found the most perfect home I have ever known.” – Jerri Nielsen, MD, in the prelude of her book, “Icebound”

Into the 21 st Century (2000 and Beyond)

Keeping Science Afloat Research Ship Operations Marine technicians Shipboard scientists Crane operators Photos courtesy of Lisa Beal

Keeping the Continent Moving Cargo & Flight Operations Cargo operators Aviation Specialists Pilots & Navigators Photo courtesy of Lisa Beal

Behind the Scenes Support Personnel Health & safety professionals Computer specialists Radio operations Electronics technicians Photos courtesy of Lisa Beal, John Penny

Leading the Pack: Station Management Team leadership Science representatives Station management Program management Photo courtesy of Lisa Beal

Recommended Reading THE NEW EXPLORERS – Women in Antarctica, Barbara Land, Dodd, Mead & Co., 1981, 224pp ICEBOUND: A Doctor’s Incredible Battle for Survival at the South Pole, Jerri Nielsen, MD, Talk Miramax, 2000

Recommended Web Sites Raytheon Polar Services – Antarctic Online – GLACIER – National Science Foundation –