Ann Bancroft, 2008 Women of Discovery Courage Award

"Listen closely to what your heart tells you to pursue. Let it drown out the negative voices and step forward." — Ann Bancfroft

Explorer and Educator

Born: 1955-01-01

Hometown: Sancia, Minnesota

Education: BS, Education

Achievements

Discoveries: Living in East Africa as a child and understanding that there is a big wonderful world out there to explore.

Biography

Ann Bancroft is one of the world's pre-eminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader dedicated to inspiring audiences around the world. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator and sought-after speaker, Bancroft believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can inspire others to pursue dreams of own. Her teamwork and leadership skills have withstood the severe tests of polar expeditions that shattered female stereotypes, and her tenacity and courage have earned Bancroft renown as one of today's most influential role models.

Born in 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Bancroft's love of the outdoors began early. Aside from the two years she spent with her family in Kenya, East Africa (in fifth and sixth grades), she was an avid student of Minnesota's vast wilderness. Her parents frequetly took her on camping and canoe trips, and at age eight, she began leading her own mini-expeditions, cajoling her cousins into accompanying her on backyard winter camping trips. Bancroft's passion for exploring the natural world is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching. After earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, she taught both physical and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul schools, where she also coached high school sports.  

Ann Bancroft's expeditions have been followed by BBC, CNN, National Public Radio, NBC Nightly News and NBC's Today show. She also has been featured in Time, People, USA Today, Ms., McCall's, Ladies Home Journal, Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, Health, National Geographic, Outside, Sports Illustrated, O, Oprah Magazine, and Working Mother.  She has been named among Glamour magazine's "Women of the Year" (2001), and was featured in the book "Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century" (1998).  She was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (1995); named Ms. magazine's "Woman of the Year," (1987)  and has been honored with numerous other awards for her accomplishments.

Fun Facts

Favorite Item to have in the field: Compass

Heroes: My older brother Bill

Awards and Recognition

1993, leads the American Women's Expedition (AWE) to the South Pole, a 67-day trek of 660 miles (1,060 km) on skis by four women. AWE becomes the first all-women expedition in history to cross the ice to the South Pole. Concurrently, Bancroft earns the distinction of the first woman in history to cross the ice to both the North and South Poles. 1992, leads the first American women's east to west crossing of Greenland. 1986, dogsleds 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from the Northwest Territories in Canada to the North Pole as the only female member of the Steger International Polar Expedition, becoming the first known woman in history to cross the ice to the North Pole. February 2001; Bancroft and Norwegian polar explorer Liv Arnesen become the first women in history to ski and sail across Antarctica's landmass completing a 94-day, 1,717-mile (2,747 km) trek. Glamour magazine's "Women of the Year" (2001) National Women's Hall of Fame (1995) Ms. Magazine's "Woman of the Year" (1987)