Women in AntarcticaWomen in Antarctica

Changing Roles Among the “Frozen Chosen”

A Presentation for

Women’s History Month 2002

At Lucent

Antarctica: Antarctica: Bottom of the WorldBottom of the World

Antarctica: LocationAntarctica: Location

Map courtesy of the Perry-Casteneda Collection

Antarctica: Where Are We?Antarctica: Where Are We?

Map courtesy of National Science Foundation

Antarctica: Cutaway ViewAntarctica: Cutaway View

Diagram courtesy of National Science Foundation

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

Edith (“Jackie”) RonneEdith (“Jackie”) RonneScientist, Correspondent - 1946Scientist, Correspondent - 1946

Married explorer Finn Ronne (1943)Helped plan expeditionInitially objected to going

(did not want expedition undermined)Collected seismology and tides dataHandled publicity for the expedition

Jenny DarlingtonJenny Darlington”Tourist” - 1946”Tourist” - 1946

Talked into going by Edith RonneHer relatives funded much of the

expedition’s costFirst 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 ForwardFirst Steps Forward(1960s and 1970s)(1960s and 1970s)

First Women At South PoleFirst Women At South PoleScientists - 1969Scientists - 1969

Michelle RaneyMichelle RaneyPhysician – 1971Physician – 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 McWhinneyMary Alice McWhinneyMarine biologist – 1970sMarine 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 deVriesYuan deVriesMolecular biologist - 1971-1975Molecular biologist - 1971-1975

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 FootingGaining Equal Footing(1980s and 1990s)(1980s and 1990s)

Roberta (“Robbie”) ScoreRoberta (“Robbie”) ScoreGeologist - 1980s-1999+Geologist - 1980s-1999+

Crary Lab supervisor Geologist Found the “Mars Rock”

(ALH84001)

Photos courtesy of Florida Today

THISIS

NOT“THE” ROCK

Betty (“B.K.”) GrantBetty (“B.K.”) GrantCommunications Specialist - 1990-presentCommunications Specialist - 1990-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 BancroftLiv Arneson, Ann BancroftExplorers – 1990sExplorers – 1990s

Hold numerous women’s ‘first’ records for polar exploration

Used high tech to connect to Internet during South Pole expedition

Jerri NielsenJerri NielsenPhysician - 1998-1999Physician - 1998-1999

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 21Into the 21stst Century Century(2000 and Beyond)(2000 and Beyond)

Keeping Science AfloatKeeping Science AfloatResearch Ship OperationsResearch Ship Operations

Marine technicians

Shipboard scientists

Crane operators

Photos courtesy of Lisa Beal

Keeping the Continent MovingKeeping the Continent MovingCargo & Flight OperationsCargo & Flight Operations

Cargo operators

Aviation Specialists

Pilots & Navigators

Photo courtesy of Lisa Beal

Behind the ScenesBehind the ScenesSupport PersonnelSupport Personnel

Health & safety professionals

Computer specialists Radio operations Electronics technicians

Photos courtesy of Lisa Beal, John Penny

Leading the Pack:Leading the Pack:Station ManagementStation Management

Team leadership

Science representatives

Station management

Program managementPhoto courtesy of Lisa Beal

Recommended ReadingRecommended 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 SitesRecommended Web Sites

Raytheon Polar Services – www.polar.org

Antarctic Online – www.antarcticaonline.com

GLACIER – www.glacier.rice.edu

National Science Foundation – www.nsf.gov