Faanya Rose facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Faanya Rose
Faanya Rose in New York, 2008.
Born	(1938-07-09) July 9, 1938 (age 87) Johannesburg
Other names	Faanya Goldin, Faanya Arch
Citizenship	British-American
Known for	First woman elected president of The Explorers Club
Scientific career
Fields	Exploration, Philanthropy Conservation, Treasury management
Institutions	The Explorers Club, Fight for Sight (UK), BAA plc

Faanya Lydia Rose (born July 9, 1938) is a British-American explorer, businesswoman, and someone who works to protect nature (a conservationist) and helps others (a philanthropist). She is famous for being the first woman and the first British citizen ever elected president of the world-famous The Explorers Club.

When The Explorers Club was founded in 1904, only men were allowed to join. Women were not admitted as members until 1981. It took another 19 years before a woman was chosen as president. When Faanya was elected, she said she wanted, "Not to be the first woman president, but to be the first woman to be the best man for the job."

Early Life and Education

Faanya Rose was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. She was the oldest child of Cecilia and Simon Arch. Her father was a diamond merchant.

Her family was Jewish and had moved to South Africa from Eastern Europe. Her father's family came from an area that is now in Ukraine, and her mother's family came from Lithuania. They moved to find a safer life.

Faanya went to the Johannesburg Girls Preparatory School. After graduating, she studied at the University of the Witwatersrand. Later, when she was working in London, she took business courses at the London Business School.

Family Life

Faanya and her second husband, Robert Rose, in Oxford, UK, in 1995.

In 1956, Faanya married Donald Goldin, a South African businessman. They had three sons: Grant, Malcolm, and Andrew.

In 1965, the family moved to a country then called Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Donald became a manager of a large hotel and casino there. He also became a member of the government, where he worked to give more power to the country's Black citizens. Sadly, Donald died in 1979 during a conflict known as the Rhodesian Bush War.

Later, in the 1990s, Faanya met Robert Rose in London. He was a retired American businessman and a passionate explorer. They married in 1993. Robert introduced Faanya to The Explorers Club, which sparked her love for exploration. She became a citizen of both the United States and Britain during her marriage to him.

Life in Africa

Faanya and her first husband, Donald Goldin, in Rhodesia in 1970.

Faanya moved to Rhodesia in 1965 to help with a family business. During her time there, the country went through major changes. It was a time of conflict, as many people fought for a fairer government.

Faanya and her husband Donald also owned a large farm next to the Wankie Game Reserve (now Hwange National Park). They saw that wildlife like elephants and leopards were in danger from illegal hunting. They worked hard to protect the animals on their land. They also planted thousands of bougainvillea plants to stop the soil from washing away. Thanks to their efforts, the leopard population in the area grew.

The country became very dangerous in the late 1970s. In 1980, Faanya moved to England. Soon after, Rhodesia became the new nation of Zimbabwe.

Career and Charity Work

After moving to the United Kingdom, Faanya became a British citizen in 1983. She was very skilled with money and business. She became the group treasurer for two major British companies, including BAA plc, which used to own London's Heathrow Airport.

Even with a busy career, Faanya always made time to help others. She has been a leader for many charities and organizations, including:

• Fight for Sight (UK): A charity that funds research to prevent blindness.
• The Lindbergh Foundation: An organization that supports new ideas in technology and nature.
• Duke of Edinburgh's Award: A youth program that encourages personal development.

A Life of Exploration

Faanya on the "Great Elephant Quest" in Nepal, 1994.

Faanya Rose at the Mount Everest Base Camp in 1999.

Faanya's love for adventure started early. As a young woman, she watched Operation Noah, a huge animal rescue mission in Africa. Workers saved thousands of animals from a flood caused by the new Kariba Dam.

Her adventures continued throughout her life. In 1994, she joined an expedition in Nepal to search for giant mammoths that were rumored to still be alive.

The Explorers Club

Faanya joined The Explorers Club in 1994. Her experience and passion quickly made her a respected member. In 2000, she was elected as the club's first female president, a historic moment.

She has led or taken part in many official Explorers Club Flag Expeditions. These are special missions that carry the club's flag to remote parts of the world for scientific research.

Here are some of her amazing expeditions:

Faanya Rose is also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, another famous organization for explorers and geographers.