Ann Bancroft facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ann Bancroft
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Bancroft in 2006
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| Born | September 29, 1955 |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon |
| Occupation | Explorer, teacher, author, public speaker |
| Known for | First woman to trek to the North Pole |
Ann Bancroft (born September 29, 1955) is an American explorer, teacher, and author. She is famous for being the first woman to complete many challenging trips to the Arctic and Antarctic. In 1995, she was honored by being added to the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Contents
Ann Bancroft's Life Story
Bancroft was born in Mendota Heights, Minnesota. She grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota. When she was in fifth and sixth grade, she lived in Kenya for two years.
Ann started leading outdoor adventures very early. At age 8, she convinced her cousins to explore the backyard with her. She faced a learning challenge called dyslexia when she was young. Even with this, she finished high school. She then went to the University of Oregon and earned a degree in Physical Education in 1981.
Bancroft also worked at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan in Ely, Minnesota. She taught physical education and special education in schools in St. Paul and Minneapolis. She became an instructor for wilderness trips and a gym teacher.
In 1991, Bancroft started the Ann Bancroft Foundation. This foundation helps young people, especially girls, follow their dreams. She also teaches at the Wilderness Inquiry group. This group helps people of all abilities enjoy outdoor adventures. Ann Bancroft now co-owns an exploration company called Bancroft Arnesen Explore. She runs it with Liv Arnesen.
Amazing Expeditions
Ann Bancroft has been on many incredible journeys. She has explored the Ganges River in India and crossed Greenland. She has also traveled to both the North Pole and the South Pole.
Reaching the North Pole
In 1986, Bancroft left her teaching jobs. She joined the "Will Steger International North Pole Expedition." After 56 days, she and five other team members reached the North Pole. They traveled using dogsleds. This made Ann Bancroft the first woman to reach the North Pole by foot and sled.
Crossing Both Poles
Ann Bancroft was also the first woman to cross both polar ice caps. This means she reached both the North and South Poles. In 1992–1993, she led a team of four women to the South Pole on skis. This was the first all-female team to cross the ice to the South Pole.
Antarctica and the Arctic
In 2001, Bancroft and Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen made history. They became the first women to ski all the way across Antarctica.
In March 2007, Bancroft and Liv Arnesen started a new trip. They trekked across the Arctic Ocean. Their goal was to show people the problem of global warming. Millions of schoolchildren followed their journey. However, the trip had to stop early. Liv Arnesen got frostbite on her toes. Also, the extreme cold drained the batteries of their electronic gear.
Water Awareness Journeys
In 2017, Bancroft led a trip on the Ganges River. This was part of her "Access Water Initiative Series." The trip aimed to teach people about the importance of clean water. It also showed how waste travels downstream. This expedition lasted 60 days and covered 1,500 miles of water.
Bancroft also planned to boat down the Mississippi River in 2018. She would be with Arnesen and other women explorers. Future trips are planned for every continent. This project wants to encourage children to protect their waterways. Clean water is a very important resource. In 2018, Bancroft paddled down the 2,320-mile Mississippi River. Future trips include Africa in 2019, Oceania in 2021, South America in 2023, Europe in 2025, and Antarctica in 2027.
Activist Work
Ann Bancroft supports important causes. She helps raise awareness for Access Water and Winter Warm-Up challenges. She also speaks out about global warming.
Select Achievements
- First woman to reach the North Pole in 1986.
- Named Woman of the Year by Ms. Magazine in 1987.
- Led the first east–west crossing of Greenland in 1992.
- Became the first woman to reach both poles in 1992.
- Led the first all-female expedition to the South Pole in 1992–1993.
- Included in Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century in 1998.
- Second woman (after Liv Arnesen) to cross Antarctica on foot in 2001.
- Named Woman of the Year by Glamour Magazine in 2001.
- Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame for the United States in 2005.
- Attempted another expedition to the North Pole with Liv Arnesen in 2007, but frostbite stopped their trek.
- Named one of history's greatest polar explorers in 2011.
- Finished the first Source to Sea Access Water expedition on the Ganges River with seven other women in 2015. They covered 1,500 miles in 60 days.
Books
- Bancroft, Ann & Nancy Loewen (2001). Four to the Pole! The American Women's Expedition to Antarctica, 1992–1993. Linnet Books.
- Arnesen, Liv & Ann Bancroft with Cheryl Dahle (2003). No Horizon Is So Far: Two Women and Their Extraordinary Journey Across Antarctica. Da Capo Press. ISBN: 0-7382-0794-2. This book tells the story of Ann Bancroft's and Liv Arnesen's 1,700-mile trip across Antarctica in 2000–2001. It won an Amelia Bloomer award in 2005.
- Bancroft, Ann & Liv Arnesen (2003). Ann and Liv Cross Antarctica. Da Capo Press. ISBN: 0-7382-0934-1.
See also
In Spanish: Ann Bancroft para niños
