Barbara Hillary (adventurer) facts for kids

Barbara Hillary (born June 12, 1931 – died November 23, 2019) was an amazing American nurse, publisher, and adventurer. She was also a great speaker who inspired many people. Born in New York City, Barbara studied at the New School University. She earned degrees in gerontology, which is the study of how people age. After her studies, she worked as a nurse for many years.

Barbara Hillary made history in 2007 when she was 75 years old. She became the first known black woman to reach the North Pole! Not stopping there, she also reached the South Pole in January 2011 at the age of 79. This made her the first African-American woman on record to reach the South Pole. It also meant she was the first black woman to reach both the North and South poles. After these incredible journeys, she became a popular speaker, sharing her story with groups like the National Organization for Women.

Barbara was a very strong person. She survived breast cancer in her 20s and lung cancer in her 60s. Even though her health declined in 2019, she continued to inspire others. She passed away on November 23, 2019, at 88 years old.

Early Life and Resilience

Barbara Hillary was born on June 12, 1931, in New York City. She grew up in Harlem with her mother, Viola Jones Hillary. Her father died when she was very young. Even though her family didn't have much money, Barbara loved to read. She once said, "there was no such thing as mental poverty in our home." One of her favorite books was the adventure story Robinson Crusoe.

She went to New School in New York City. There, she studied gerontology, which is about understanding aging. She earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees. After graduating, she worked as a nurse for 55 years before she retired. Barbara faced tough health challenges, including surviving breast cancer and lung cancer. These experiences showed her incredible strength and determination.

Community Work and Climate Action

Barbara Hillary was very involved in her community. She started the Arverne Action Association, Inc. This group worked to make life better in Arverne, New York, and the Rockaway Peninsula area. She also founded and was the editor of The Peninsula Magazine. This was a special magazine in Queens, New York, that focused on different cultures.

After her trips to the poles, Barbara became very interested in how climate change was affecting the Earth. She started giving talks about how melting ice caps impact the world. In 2019, she even traveled to the Mongolian steppe. She went there to see how climate change was threatening the traditions of a community living there.

Amazing Adventures

Reaching the North and South Poles

After retiring from nursing, Barbara Hillary wanted new adventures. She tried dog-sledding in Quebec and took photos of polar bears in Manitoba. Then, she learned that no black woman had ever reached the North Pole. She decided she would be the first! A trip to the Arctic was expensive, costing around $20,000. She also needed to learn to ski, which she had never done before.

To get the money, she wrote letters to possible sponsors and collected donations. She managed to raise over $25,000 for her trip! To get ready, she took cross-country ski lessons, hired a personal trainer, and worked out with weights. On April 23, 2007, at 75 years old, she made history. She became one of the oldest people to reach the North Pole, and the first black woman to do so.

Five years later, she achieved another incredible feat. On January 6, 2011, at age 79, she became the first African-American woman on record to stand on the South Pole.

After her amazing expeditions, Barbara Hillary became a popular inspirational speaker. Her story was featured on NBC News and CNN.com. She gave speeches to many groups, including the National Organization for Women (NOW). Barbara dedicated her trip to the North Pole to her mother, Viola Jones Hillary. Her mother had moved from South Carolina to New York City in the 1930s. She wanted Barbara and her sister to have a chance at a better education.

Awards and Recognition

Barbara Hillary received many honors for her courage and achievements:

• 2007 – The United States House of Representatives honored her for reaching the North Pole.
• 2008 – She received the Woman of Courage Award from the National Organization for Women.
• 2020 – She was added to the National Women's Hall of Fame.