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Women in Antarctica | Breaking Barriers and Shaping Antarctic Research

As the coldest, windiest, and driest continent on Earth, Antarctica has long captured the imagination of explorers. Yet, for much of its history, societal norms and institutional barriers excluded women from participating in polar expeditions.

Legendary names like Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton dominate Antarctic history. But now it’s time to shine a light on a lesser-known chapter of that history—because women, too, sought to conquer the icy wilderness!

The struggle for inclusion: women’s early Antarctic aspirations 

Take paleobotanist Marie Stopes, for example. In the 1910s, she sought to join Scott’s Terra Nova Expedition to search for fossilised plants and prove Antarctica’s connection to the ancient supercontinent Gondwana. Yet, despite her credentials, Scott flatly refused to allow a woman aboard his ship.

Similarly, in 1914, three adventurous women attempted to join Shackleton’s Endurance Expedition. Unlike Stopes, they lacked scientific backgrounds but made their case with a spirited application letter: 

"We, three sporty girls are healthy and also gay and bright, and willing to undergo any hardships that you yourselves undergo. If our feminine garb is inconvenient, we should just love to don masculine attire. We have been reading all books and articles that have been written on dangerous expeditions by brave men to the Polar regions, and we do not see why men should have all the glory, and women none-–especially when there are women just as brave and capable as men." 

The response was curt: "There are no vacancies for the opposite sex."

The exclusion of women became particularly glaring in 1937, ahead of a planned, ultimately cancelled British Antarctic expedition. An astonishing 1300 women applied for positions, but none were accepted. The proposed expedition leader dismissed their capabilities outright, asserting that women were unfit to endure the harsh conditions of Antarctica.

Unsung heroines: the women behind history's greatest polar expeditions

Nevertheless, women have been pivotal to some of the greatest achievements in polar history. Serving as “the woman behind the man”, their contributions have frequently been overlooked. Kari Herberts engaging book 'Polar Wives' sheds light on the remarkable stories of Kathleen Scott, Emily Shackleton, Jane and Eleanor Anne Franklin, Jo Peary, Eva Nansen and Marie Herbert.

Some women weren’t content to simply support from the sidelines—they joined the expeditions themselves, demonstrating determination and courage. In the 1930s, several Norwegian female explorers journeyed to the great south alongside their husbands, who worked in the whaling industry. Among them, Ingrid Christensen stood out as one of the boldest.

Ingrid Christensen and Mathilde Wegger: the first women to set foot on Antarctica

Between 1931 and 1937, Ingrid Christensen ventured to Antarctica four times, playing an integral role in her husband’s expeditions. Her journeys marked several historic milestones. She was the first woman to see Antarctica. A feat she shared with her friend Mathilde Wegger and the first to fly over the icy continent. Most significantly, Christensen is widely regarded as the first woman to set foot on the mainland in 1937, breaking a symbolic barrier for female explorers. (Although Caroline Mikkelsen had briefly disembarked on an island two years earlier, Christensen’s accomplishment represented a more definitive step forward.)

Edith 'Jackie' Ronne and Jennie Darlington, the first women to overwinter in Antarctica

In the mid-1940s, Edith ‘Jackie’ Ronne and Jennie Darlington became the first women to spend a winter in Antarctica, enduring extreme isolation and unforgiving conditions. They joined their husbands, Finn Ronne and Harry Darlington, on a privately funded expedition to explore and map parts of the Weddell Sea coastline.

Jackie Ronne’s role in particular extended far beyond traditional support. She conducted seismic and tide measurements, maintained the expedition journal, and filed reports for the US press, providing invaluable contributions to the scientific and public understanding of Antarctica.

Maria Klenova, the first woman to conduct Antarctic research

Despite these early trailblazers and the growing institutionalisation of polar research, only a handful of women made it to Antarctica in the decades that followed.

Soviet geologist Maria Klenova was the first woman to conduct scientific research in Antarctica in the mid-1950s. In 1958, American geologist Dawn Rodley came close to joining her ranks, having even secured approval from the wives of her male colleagues. Yet Rodley’s plans were thwarted when the US Navy refused to transport her to Antarctica.

Formal bans on women persisted well into the 1970s, and in some cases, even the 1980s. Among others, women were prohibited from working on sea ice, forcing them to rely on male colleagues and students to set up instruments and collect samples.

The rise of the women’s movement finally made these restrictive policies fade, ushering into a new era of inclusion in Antarctic science.

1969 was the year of seismic shifts. Woodstock echoed with the sound of change, and Neil Armstrong stretched the boundaries of what humanity could achieve. But women in Antarctica? For many, that still seemed unthinkable. 

The 1969 all-female Antarctic science team

For the 1969-70 field season, six female scientists prepared for a groundbreaking expedition. Their mission: to study the McMurdo Dry Valleys. But their legacy would extend far beyond geochemistry – they were about to make history as the first all-female research team in the US Antarctic Program.

The project’s announcement ignited a media frenzy. Reporters, with a mix of curiosity and condescension, asked questions like: "Will you wear lipstick while you work?" or “How will you have your hair done?”. Deeply entrenched biases of the time were starkly evident. 

To their astonishment, before they could begin their work at McMurdo Station, Lois Jones, Terry Lee Tickhill Terrell, Kay Lindsay, Eileen McSaveney, and Pam Young were whisked away for a carefully staged, media-drenched visit to Antarctica’s most iconic site. On the 12th of November 1969, just four months after the moon landing, the scientists stepped off a large cargo plane into the heart of Antarctica, becoming the first woman at the South Pole!

The gesture seemed like an attempt to rush history forward, to patch a glaring omission in the story of exploration. Yet, in that moment, one thing became clear: the ice ceiling had finally been shattered, paving the way for future generations of women scientists and explorers in Antarctica.

Women leading Antarctic science and conservation today

Today, women play leading roles in Antarctic research, excelling in fields such as glaciology, biology, geology, and astrophysics. Many are also at the forefront of advocating for conservation efforts, exemplified by marine biologist and oceanographer Sylvia Earle. 

Founded in 2014, networks like Women in Polar Science (WIPS) play a vital role in empowering female researchers, providing them with the encouragement and resources needed to excel in their pursuits. Equally essential, female engineers, pilots, and support staff form an indispensable foundation for the success of Antarctic research missions.

Women in Antarctic adventure and tourism: breaking new ground

Beyond science, women adventurers such as Ann Bancroft and Felicity Ashton have pushed boundaries with groundbreaking ski expeditions, showcasing women’s resilience and endurance.

The rise of Antarctic Tourism has also opened new pathways for women, particularly as expedition guides. Among other things, this role allows to ensure that women’s voices are part of the narrative of Antarctic exploration, enriching the experience for guests.

Following the footsteps of female trailblazers: exploring Antarctica today

The pioneering women who broke barriers in Antarctica paved the way for a new era – one where the White Continent is no longer reserved for scientists and explorers alone. Today, travellers have the rare opportunity to experience Antarctica in an intimate and immersive way, following in the footsteps of these remarkable women while discovering the continent’s awe-inspiring landscapes, wildlife, and history.

Unlike large cruise ships, small-ship expeditions offer a more intimate connection to the Antarctic environment. Guided by a team of experienced male and female polar experts—including historians, marine biologists, glaciologists and more. Travellers can explore remote landing sites, witness wildlife up close, and gain a richer understanding of Antarctica’s past and future. These carefully crafted voyages bring the spirit of early exploration to life while ensuring a low-impact, meaningful experience in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.

Visibility matters: Inspiring the next generation of women in Antarctica

Increased visibility of women in these roles through documentaries, books and (social) media coverage is inspiring a new generation to pursue Antarctic careers. It wasn’t a coincidence that in 2019, Mattel released the Polar Marine Biologist Barbie complete with a parka, boots, ski goggles and a penguin figurine—a nod to the importance of visibility.

Challenges and the importance of gender equality in polar research

Despite significant progress over the last few decades, challenges persist. Women remain underrepresented in certain fields and continue to encounter unique logistical and social obstacles, from inadequate facilities or clothing to gender bias and harassment. However, increased awareness of these issues has sparked meaningful efforts to make Antarctica a place where everyone can thrive and contribute equally.

How to get involved: Amplifying the voices of women in Antarctica

Antarctica plays an important role in global systems and faces unprecedented changes due to climate change. The need for diverse perspectives in its study and management has never been greater. As barriers continue to fall and opportunities expand, female contributions will remain integral to our understanding of Antarctica and to preserve it for generations to come. 

Inspired by these female pioneers? 

Follow initiatives like Women in Polar Science (WIPS) to learn more about women in Antarctic exploration and conservation and how they are shaping the future of the frozen continent. 

Every story shared helps break barriers and amplify women's contributions to our understanding of the frozen frontier!