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Females of the Frozen Frontier

Accessing some of the world's more inaccessible woman

Antarctica – we all know a little bit about it. It’s that far-off icy tundra, maybe more of a concept and a spattering of images in our mind than a real place. It’s so bizarrely different from anywhere else on Earth that people often disconnect themselves with it. But as it turns out, what happens at the bottom of the world affects the rest of the planet. Through vibrant photographs and engaging storytelling, I take you to the bottom of the world and show you that there’s a lot more to Antarctica than just ice and penguins. Scientists work under the never-setting sun in Antarctica, both delving under the ice and gazing up into the skies.

Antarctica is a region where logistical issues and environmental elements are more challenging than anywhere else on Earth. Through the lens of my camera, I am able to visually document science in this rare and uncommon world, both bursting with and devoid of life. Antarctica provides an awe-evoking backdrop for the wide array of scientific developments and breakthroughs that happen on the ice.  In relentless winds and far beyond freezing temperatures, away from civilization, there are outstanding female scientists working in Antarctica whose scientific endeavors make an impact on the greater world. 

Katy House

a Diesel mechanic in Antarctica

 Katy House's boss asked her if she would be interested in taking a job in Antarctica as a diesel mechanic at the vehicle maintenance facility at McMurdo Station. "You want me to go where? I can’t go to Antarctica," responded Katy. "Why can’t you go to Antarctica?" asked her boss Mark. Well, why can’t I go to Antarctica thought Katy House, who grew up being encouraged "to do whatever she wanted to do, whatever she loved.

Katy House became the first woman in the world to travel on the South Pole Overland Traverse as a diesel mechanic.

Tobias Summerhayes:

Badass Woman of the Antarctic

 

Tobi's Favorite part of McMurdo is

“All the crazy people! I love the fact that everyone has other talents, they might be here driving a big bus or a loader around, but everyone has an amazing story behind them.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2014  we talked with Tobi about her number 1 goal in life. She told us it was to travel on the South Pole Overland Traverse with the United States Antarctic Program.

If the rainbows continue to shine, it looks like we will be able to follow Tobi along this season on her adventure as she lives her number 1 goal in life, and drives to the South Pole with the traverse team.

 

Denise Donnell:

Mom and Commander

The colonel has flown a variety of aircrafts, including the P-3 Orion sub hunter, the C-5 Galaxy, the C-17 Globemaster and the LC-130 Hercules. She likes to play legos with her kids and has been chased by pirates in the South China Sea. She has also served as the Air Expeditionary Group Commander of support forces Antarctica, and is responsible for all Military forces south of 60 degrees.

 

Jennifer Scotia 

and

Shelley Cicola

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moms, who drive trucks and are responisble for the Shuttles department, pretty much the welcoming committee to the continent.

 Soon to be published photo stories

Lisa Johnson:

Lisa feeds the scientists that work at

NASA's  Long Duration Balloon Facility. 

A field camp located on the Ross Ice Shelf,

about seven miles from McMurdo, Station Antarctica, supported by the

United States Antarctic Program.

Some say that LDB has the best food on the Continent.

Lisa makes the rack tent on the ice shelf feel like you're sitting at home in mom's kitchen.

She fills the scientists with nutrients as they work around the clock to try to solve mysteries of our universe, such as what happened the

split second after the Big Bang.

Dr. Britney Schmidt:

Britney, the principal investigator

of the project, and her team are basically testing an underwater robot for use on

Jupiter's moon Europa.

They are driving the robot under the ice of Antarctica, conducting science out of a rack tent set-up on the Ross Ice Shelf, outside of McMurdo Station

Zoe Courville:

Collecting samples and studying the Ross Ice shelf.

What's life like at McMurdo Station, Antarctica?

watch for the photo story...

On the horizon for the austral summer of 2016-2017 and on...

Look forward to more photo stories featuring the women of the United States Antarctic Program, and learning about the scientific activities being conducted in Antarctica! My hope is to increase your understanding of the Antarctic, and America's heritage in the Antarctic, through the eyes, lives, and science of these inspiring women.

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