Trailblazing Women Who Explored the World
Throughout history, courageous women have defied conventions and societal limitations to blaze trails as adventurers and explorers. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on a few of these trailblazing women whose achievements still inspire us today.
Aloha Wanderwell (1906-1996)
In 1922 at age 16, Aloha Wanderwell embarked on a groundbreaking journey around the world in an automobile with her husband as a companion. Their daring “World Wanderers” expedition over 7 years took them through 43 countries spanning from Morocco to Vietnam in a Model T Ford. Wanderwell captured their trip on 35mm film, documenting their adventures for eager audiences back home.
Interestingly, “Aloha Wanderwell” was a stage name – she was born Idris Hall in Canada. She took on the persona after answering a newspaper ad seeking a woman to join an epic around-the-world journey. Wanderwell’s films of their travels were unique for their time, offering a rare glimpse into far-flung corners of the globe. She was also a prolific writer, publishing articles in major magazines and several books about her adventures.
It’s important to note that while Wanderwell’s journey was groundbreaking, she was not the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. That distinction belongs to Jeanne Baret, a French botanist who disguised herself as a man to join Louis Antoine de Bougainville’s expedition in the 18th century.
Barbara Hillary (1931-2019)
While most were slowing down in retirement, Barbara Hillary was just getting started on her path to becoming an adventuring legend. In 2007 at age 75, she became the first African American woman to set foot on the North Pole. Five years later, she cemented her place in history as the first to reach both poles after trekking to the South Pole. Hillary proved that age, race, or background need not be limitations in the great outdoors.
What’s even more remarkable is that Hillary took up adventuring after surviving breast cancer in her 20s and lung cancer at age 67. She saw the North Pole trek as a way to raise awareness of breast cancer, taking a photo there holding a flag in memory of friends lost to the disease. In her 80s, Hillary continued her adventures by going dog-sledding in Quebec and photographing polar bears in Manitoba.
Junko Tabei (1939-2016)
In 1975, Junko Tabei shattered the glass ceiling of the mountaineering world by becoming the first woman to summit Mount Everest. The legendary Japanese climber didn’t stop there โ she went on to complete the “Seven Summits” by scaling the highest peaks on every continent. Tabei’s accomplishments demolished gender stereotypes about female frailty while inspiring generations of girls to follow their adventuring dreams.
Tabei faced many obstacles on her path, including societal disapproval of women climbing and difficulty securing funding. On her historic Everest climb, an avalanche buried their camp, but she persevered to reach the summit. Tabei later founded the Ladies Climbing Club to create more opportunities for female mountaineers. By the end of her life, she had conquered over 70 major mountains.
Freya Stark (1893-1993)
As one of the first European travelers to explore remote areas of the Middle East, Freya Stark carved an unprecedented path as a writer and explorer in the early 20th century. Her solo travels by camel through deserts, valleys and mountains from Turkey to Yemen opened up uncharted frontiers few Westerners had seen before. By the end of her life, Stark had become one of the most traveled women in the world at that time.
Stark’s adventures were all the more impressive given she suffered partial hearing loss and facial disfigurement from a factory accident in her 20s. She learned seven languages, including Arabic, Persian and Turkish, to communicate with locals on her travels. Her writing, including over 25 travel books, earned much acclaim for its vivid insights into Middle Eastern cultures. During WWII, Stark’s expertise was tapped by the British government, which enlisted her to gather intelligence in Yemen.
These fearless women defied labels and social confines in their quests to discover uncharted lands and achieve awe-inspiring athletic feats. Their thirst for adventure and unflinching courage paved the way for generations of female explorers, adventurers and mountaineers who followed. Who are the female pioneers that inspire your own adventurous spirit?
Be sure to check out the other Trailblazing Women we highlighted this month for some inspiration!
