Ann Bancroft

Ann Bancroft Profile

An inspiration to women, girls and aspiring explorers across the world, Ann Bancroft shares her stories of travel and adventure in her motivational speeches in order to inspire others to pursue their dreams just as she has done. One of the most notable polar explorers in the world, an educator, sought-after speaker and philanthropist, she has crushed the myth of the limitations of women in the best possible, most practical, ways.

Among Ann’s many notable achievements are joining with Liv Arnesen as the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarctica, a journey of 1717 miles in 94 days; leading an American Women’s Expedition to the South Pole and in doing so becoming the first woman in history to reach both poles by land crossing; leading the first American women’s east to west crossing of Greenland and dog-sledding 1000 miles from Canada to the North Pole, becoming the first known woman in history to reach the North Pole across the ice. Her achievements have earned many awards, among them being included in Glamour magazine’s “Women of the Year,” being featured in the book Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century, being inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame and being named Ms. Magazine‘s Woman of the Year.

Growing up in Minnesota imbued Ann with a love of the natural world that is only matched by her enthusiasm for teaching. She took a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education at the University of Oregon and became a physical and special education teacher in Minneapolis and St. Paul. She currently pursues her passion for childhood education as an instructor for Wilderness Inquiry, introducing both able-bodied and disabled children to the wilderness.

Ann is the founder of the Ann Bancroft Foundation, a non-profit dedicated to the achievements, existing and potential, of women and girls.

Ann’s achievements have been featured widely across the globe, including on the BBC, CNN, NPR, NBC Nightly News and NBC Today. She has also appeared in many print media, including in TIME, USA Today, Good Housekeeping, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated and The Oprah Magazine. Spokesperson for the Learning Disabilities Association, Girl Scouts of the USA and Wilderness Inquiry, she serves on the board of Youth Frontiers and is a judge for the Nuclear Free awards and the National Women’s Hall of Fame inductions. She is co-chair of the Wilderness Inquiry capital campaign and serves on the advisory board of the Melpomene Institute and Medica.

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  Ann Bancroft is one of the world′s preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader who is dedicated to inspiring women and girls around the world to unleash the power of their dreams. Through her various roles as an explorer, educator, sought-after speaker and philanthropist, Ann believes that by sharing stories related to her dreams of outdoor adventure, she can help inspire a global audience to pursue their individual dreams.

  Ann′s teamwork and leadership skills have undergone severe tests during her polar expeditions and provided her with opportunities to shatter female stereotypes. The tenacity and courage that define her character have earned Ann worldwide recognition as one of today′s most influential role models for women and girls. She has been named among Glamour magazine′s “Women of the Year” (2001); featured in the book Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century (1998); inducted into the National Women′s Hall of Fame (1995); named Ms. magazine′s “Woman of the Year” (1987); and honored with numerous other awards for her accomplishments.

  Major Accomplishments:

  • • February 2001 – Ann and Norwegian polar explorer Liv Arnesen become the first women in history to sail and ski across Antarcticaÿs landmass – completing a 94 -day, 1,717-mile (2,747 trek).
    • 1993 – Ann leads the American Women′s Expedition to the South Pole, a 67-day expedition of 660 miles (1,060 km) on skis by four women, earning the distinction of being the first known woman in history to cross the ice to both the North and South Poles.
    • 1992 – Ann leads the first American women′s east to west crossing of Greenland.
    • 1986 – Ann dogsleds 1,000 miles (1,600 km) from the Northwest Territories in Canada to the North Pole as the only female member of the Steger International Polar Expedition, earning the distinction of being the first known woman in history to cross the ice to the North Pole.

  Born in 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Ann′s love of the outdoors began early in life. Aside from the two years she spent with her family in Kenya, East Africa (in fifth and sixth grades), Ann was a student of Minnesota′s vast wilderness. Her father often took her on camping and canoe trips in northern Minnesota. At age eight, she began to lead her own mini-expeditions, cajoling her cousins into accompanying her on backyard winter camping trips.

  Ann′s passion for exploring our natural world is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching children. After earning a bachelor of science degree in physical education from the University of Oregon, Ann taught physical and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn. schools and coached various high school sports. She currently is an instructor for Wilderness Inquiry, an organization that helps disabled and able-bodied individuals enjoy the wilderness year round.

  Ann′s other achievements include founding and leading the Ann Bancroft Foundation, a non-profit organization that celebrates the existing and potential achievements of women and girls.

  An internationally known entity, Ann′s expeditions have been followed by BBC, CNN, National Public Radio, NBC Nightly News and NBC′s Today show. She also has been featured in Time, People, USA Today, Ms., McCall′s, Ladies Home Journal, Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, National Geographic, Outside, Sports Illustrated, Sports Illustrated for Kids and Sports Illustrated for Women, O, the Oprah Magazine and Time for Kids. Ann is a spokesperson for the Learning Disabilities Association, Wilderness Inquiry and Girl Scouts of the USA. She serves on the board of Youth Frontiers, co-chairs the Wilderness Inquiry capital campaign and is a judge for the Nuclear-Free awards and the National Women′s Hall of Fame inductions. Ann serves on the advisory board of the Melpomene Institute and Medica.