Ann Bancroft (born 1955) is an American polar explorer. She is the first woman to have led expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctica, and to have explored both poles.
Physical education teacher
Born September 29, 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota (United States), Ann Bancroft grew up in an environment rural where she developed a passion for the great outdoors. Despite learning difficulties, she graduated from St. Paul Academy and Summit School then a degree in physical education at the University of Oregon. She then became a physical education teacher and sports trainer at various universities.
Explorations of the two poles
In 1986, Ann Bancroft took part in Will Steger's international expedition to the North Pole, which was the first (confirmed) expedition to reach the North Pole without any supplies. The only woman on the team, she became the first woman to reach the North Pole on foot and by sled after a 56-day crossing. In 1992, she led a crossing of Greenland from east to west and then, in 1993, an expedition of four women to the South Pole on skis. In 1995, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame .
In 2001, Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen, a Norwegian explorer, became the first women to cross Antarctica on skis, after covering 2,700 km in 94 days. Together they own an exploration company.
Claiming her homosexuality, Ann Bancroft campaigned in 2006 against a draft amendment to the Minnesota constitution, aimed at prohibiting the legal recognition of marriages or civil unions between people of the same sex.