Minnesota native. Earned a teaching degree from the University of Oregon and taught a short few years before joining a team to dogsled to the North Pole.
As first known woman to travel across the ice to the top of the world, I made a promise to not only follow my dreams but create something bigger than my own personal ambitions.
All my expeditions since have education with them - thus inspiring millions of kids. One focus always is helping girls and women find their voice and potential in whatever they do.
This theme traveled as I became first women to ski to both poles, lead the first all women's expedition to the South Pole in 1992/93 - Lead a team of all women across Greenland 1992 and later cross Antarctica with Liv Arnesen. 2000/01. Many wonderful trips in between on rock and snow, or on water - frozen and liquid.
I started the Ann Bancroft Foundation in Minnesota that gives small monetary grants to girls to try an experience to find courage to find their way in the world as strong and confident and engaged humans.
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Show notes
Who is Ann
Going to college to become a teacher
Following her childhood dream
65, years young
Spending the past 20+ years working with Liv Arnesen
Feeling very blessed about her life
How her life diverted and changed into the adventure and expedition world at 29 years old
Wanting to go to the South Pole
How the opportunity came about
Finding herself on the team and how it changed her life
Why you have to just go for it
Lessons learned from the South Pole
The moments of truth
Her love of long expeditions
How have polar expeditions changed over the years
Wanting to do something for women and girls
Being a teacher outside of the classroom
Do challenges get easier….
Why you can not short cut preparation
Going back to focus on the basics
Dealing with setbacks and failure
Why it takes courage to put yourself out there
Being able to learn from past mistakes
Wanting to cross all of Antarctica in 1992
Having no money and no sponsors
What is the legacy they wanted to leave behind
Making the most painful decision in her life
Connecting with Liv Arnesen
Tent life….
Focusing on raising the voices of girls and women
The next challenge on the Mississippi
Quick Fire Questions
Honesty - Integrity - Courage
Final words of advise for women and girls who want to divert to a different path
“I can because she did”
The power of living your potential.
Social Media
The Ann Bancroft Foundation empowers girls to imagine something bigger through grants, mentorship, and ongoing development opportunities. The Ann Bancroft Foundation is giving Minnesota girls the strength to achieve their full potential.
Instagram: @abfdreamers
Facebook: @AnnBancroftFoundation
Twitter: @ABFdreamers
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