Women in Antarctica: Pioneering Change in Expedition Leadership

“When I started in this business, the only female expedition leader was a co-leader with her husband. Women were seen as cruise directors, but not expedition leaders.”

“In the minds of many, Antarctica still is one of the last macho redoubts, where men are men and women are superfluous,” wrote Michael Satchell in The San Bernardino Sun in a 1983 article. He quoted Dr. Lyle McGinnis, a geologist who frequented Antarctica, saying, “Women create difficulties and problems, and I’m not sure it’s worth having them along.”

Since humankind first discovered Antarctica some 200 years ago, women have fought to earn equal footing with men on the continent — quite literally. The first two women to land on the continent, Caroline Mikkelsen on an island in 1935 and Ingrid Christensen on the mainland in 1937, did so more than a century after the first man, John Davis, in 1821.

It wasn’t for lack of interest. Women applied to join the crews of the great explorers of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, including Sir Ernest Shackleton, with no success. In the second half of the 20th century, women began joining expeditions and scientific missions, often facing disdain from men like McGinnis, who labeled them as “powderpuff explorers.”

Therefore, imagine my delight when on my first trip to Antarctica in December 2021 — aboard Lindblad Expedition’s National Geographic Endurance, named after Shackleton’s ship, I had a female expedition leader.

Sheri Bluestein, an Antarctic veteran with 14 seasons under her belt, navigated extremely difficult weather conditions on our sailing. She worked closely with Captain Aaron Wood to find safe harbor for us to make landings. Bluestein managed to keep guests informed, entertained, and safe, all while overseeing her team of expedition staff, which included five women.

“Sheri is the first female expedition leader I’ve ever worked with in Antarctica,” Maya Santangelo, an undersea specialist, remarked during a lecture on board.

Although expedition cruising has been available in Antarctica since the mid-1960s — with Lindblad being the first dedicated operator — the industry remained male-dominated for decades.

“Let me start with something I heard from a captain many years ago during an expedition to Antarctica: ‘If I wanted a woman to tell me what to do, I would have stayed at home,'” says Suzana Machado D’Oliveira, an Abercrombie & Kent expedition director. Fortunately, the tides are turning.

Many industry professionals now observe a more equal representation of male and female expedition staff. “It’s such a pleasure to see that the ratio of men to women on expedition teams is often 50-50,” says Florence Kuyper, an expedition leader who first came to Antarctica in 2004 and currently guides for Aurora Expeditions. Furthermore, Kuyper takes pride in witnessing male colleagues defending the gender case for women in expeditions.

While women are more likely to be hired by expedition companies today, stereotyping and prejudice exist within the industry. Many professional women encounter questions such as, “Are you married?” or “When are you going to have children?” Such inquiries can complicate relationships and family growth, especially given that contracts for expedition staff typically last weeks or months.

Even as a guest, I faced fellow passengers questioning why I traveled to Antarctica without my husband. “Pourquoi pas?” I’d reply, referring to the French explorer Jean-Baptiste Charcot, whose Antarctic expedition ship bore that name.

The extreme conditions of Antarctica often lead some guests to question women’s athletic capabilities during excursions.

“I’ve often heard guests ask if I know how to drive a Zodiac, and when I did not fit the stereotype, the male staff were shocked,” says an anonymous female expedition leader.

Dr. Hanne Nielsen, a lecturer in Antarctic Law and Governance, highlights the need for female expedition leaders to prove themselves constantly. “My female expedition leaders usually possess more certificates and experience than their male peers,” she states.

Conversely, some female expedition leaders, such as Geraldine “JD” Massyn from Abercrombie & Kent, find that a non-macho approach enhances safety on expeditions. “Many male leaders prefer female Zodiac drivers since they readily admit when they feel unsafe driving in bad conditions,” she notes.

As the industry has “naturally evolved to incorporate gender equality,” Massyn reflects on the collaborative dynamics of the expedition team that depends on each other for safety and success.

However, despite working in remote regions, women may encounter sexism or harassment at work, which can deter them from reporting incidents. Nielsen explains, “The hierarchies on ships can reinforce gender stereotypes and create environments conducive to harassment.”

Nielsen also emphasizes that reporting such behavior can jeopardize job prospects, pointing out that sexual misconduct on cruise ships is a documented issue.

Consequently, despite these challenges, most female expedition leaders believe perseverance is essential and are optimistic about future industry changes. Ultimately, women in Antarctica feel a profound pride, not only for their love of the work but also for the joy they bring to others.

“We witness adults becoming children once again, sledding and giggling. It’s impossible not to feel joyful when watching penguins! What a great job I have. I’m very lucky,” Bluestein shared during our voyage.