Silvia Vasquez-Lavado facts for kids
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado (born 1974) is an amazing Peruvian-American adventurer, writer, and social entrepreneur. She is known for climbing some of the world's highest mountains. In June 2016, she became the first woman from Peru to reach the top of Mount Everest. She was also the first openly gay woman to climb the Seven Summits. These are the tallest mountains on each of the seven continents, according to both the Messner and Bass lists.
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Early Life and Education
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado grew up in Lima, Peru. She faced some difficult experiences during her childhood. Her mother encouraged her to move to the United States for a new start.
Silvia came to the U.S. with a special scholarship called the Fulbright Program. She studied at Millersville University. Today, she lives in San Francisco, California.
Mountain Climbing Adventures
Silvia found a way to heal from past challenges through mountain climbing. In 2005, during a meditation retreat in Peru, she had a powerful idea. She imagined herself and her younger self walking together in a beautiful valley surrounded by mountains. This vision inspired her to connect with nature and find strength.
Soon after, in October 2005, Silvia decided to visit the base camp of Mount Everest. After a four-day hike, she reached the foot of the mighty mountain and climbed Kala Pattar, a nearby peak. Later, in May 2016, she successfully climbed all the way to the top of Mount Everest! By 2019, she became one of the few women in the world to complete the "Eight Summits." This means she climbed the tallest mountains on all seven continents, following both the Bass and Messner lists.
Silvia's Major Mountain Summits
- Kilimanjaro in Tanzania (September 2006)
- Mount Elbrus in Russia (August 2007)
- Mont Blanc in Europe (July 2011)
- Aconcagua in Argentina (January 2014)
- Mount Kosciuszko in Australia (October 2014)
- Carstensz Pyramid in Indonesia (March 2015)
- Vinson Massif in Antarctica (December 2015)
- Mount Everest in Nepal (May 2016)
- Denali / McKinley in Alaska (June 2018)
Making a Difference: Courageous Girls
In 2014, Silvia Vasquez-Lavado started a special organization called Courageous Girls. This nonprofit group helps young people who have faced tough times. It gives them chances to discover their inner strength and find their voice. Courageous Girls has worked on projects in countries like Nepal, India, the United States, and Peru.
In the Shadow of the Mountain
Silvia's first book, a memoir titled In the Shadow of the Mountain, was released on February 1, 2022, in the United States. It came out internationally on February 3, 2022. The book shares her journey and experiences. A reviewer for The New York Times wrote that Silvia understands we don't "conquer Everest" or our challenges. Instead, we learn to work with them. Kirkus Reviews called her book "An emotionally raw and courageous memoir."
In November 2020, the Hollywood Reporter announced that actress Selena Gomez is set to play Silvia Vasquez-Lavado in a movie based on In the Shadow of the Mountain. In March 2023, the book won the important 2023 Edward Stanford Travel Book of the year award.
Awards and Recognition
Silvia Vasquez-Lavado has received many honors for her achievements.
- Fortune magazine named her one of the Corporate Heroes of 2015.
- CNET, a technology news website, recognized her as one of the 20 most influential Latinos in Silicon Valley.
- The Peruvian government has honored her as one of their "Marca Peru" ambassadors, representing her home country.
- She is a respected member of the Explorers Club.
- On May 7, 2022, Millersville University gave her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. She also gave the commencement speech to the graduating students.
See also
In Spanish: Silvia Vásquez-Lavado para niños
