A photo from the first Homeward Bound voyage in 2016. (Photo Credit: HB1)
In 50 days I set sail with Homeward Bound for Antarctica.
This is the culmination of my year-long professional development journey with 80 other women scientists from around the world. In the past 10 months, through discussions, reading, self-reflection, we’ve explored what it to be a woman in science, what leadership means, and what does it take to compel others to take action on climate change. We don’t always have the answers. But we have enthusiasm – and a growing conviction that there are solutions.
One thing I never fully realized in the early stages of my career is that I’ve chosen a path in life that requires and demands continual growth. Everything about my science is changing. Everything about our culture, our society, and how we function in the world is changing. That necessitates changes in how I teach, how I think about my job, and how I think about what I want to contribute to this world.
Homeward Bound is helping me think about this, and, at the same time, connect with some amazing women from around the world. What connects us is a passion for science, a drive to find ways to do something about climate change, and an adventurous spirit.
From the first Homeward Bound cohort in Antarctica – December 2016 (photo credit: Dyan de Napoli, HB1)
In the coming weeks, I’ll share more about our experiences so far and preparation for the journey, but today, I want to make a request.
This last part of our journey together – the trip to Antarctica – is an opportunity to really get to know each other, explore strategies for how we want to make an impact in the world, and find ways to make a difference. This journey is not cheap! Participation in the program (including the trip to Antarctica) costs $16,000 USD. Add to that the cost of transportation and travel to Ushuaia, Argentina. Some of us have been lucky to have support from our home institutions. The University of Northern Colorado has shouldered a healthy percentage of the cost for me.
Homeward Bound participants on Half Moon Island, Antarctica, 2016. (Photo Credit: Songqiao Yao, HB1)
But not every woman has that level of support. Science is not a lucrative profession, and many of the women in our cohort are just starting out in their careers. This trip is a significant financial investment. A number of women in my cohort are raising money through crowd-funding, and with this post, I want to ask you to help someone out. Below, you’ll find links to fundraising campaigns by women in my cohort. Please take some time to get to know them, and what motivates them! Then, pull out your credit card!
As an incentive, if you donate the equivalent of $50 USD to any of these campaigns (or more than one campaign), I’ll put you on my list to receive a postcard from Port Lockroy, Antarctica! (If conditions make it difficult to get to Lockroy, I’ll send it from the end of the world, Ushuaia, Argentina). Just leave a comment below, let me know who you donated to, and be sure to enter your correct email address, I’ll email you for your mailing address.
Hurry! This offer only stands until Thanksgiving Day (November 22, 2018, 11:59 MST)!
If you’d like to find out more about all of the women in Homeward Bound, you will find our bios here.
Women of Homeward Bound walk across the ice in 2016.
Help these women scientists fund their journeys to Antarctica:
Aditi Gupta (India)
Amita Roy (Australia)
Amy Edwards (Australia)
Anita Goh (Australia)
Beth Strain (Australia)
Daisy Hessenberger (Switzerland)
Claudia Kielkopf (Germany/Australia)
Deirdre Collins (Ireland/Australia)
Georgia Ward-Fear (Australia)
Helen Wade (Scotland)
Inez Melendez (Venezuela/Australia)
Karen & Sarah Johns (Mother-daughter teacher team from Australia)
Kelsie Clark (Australia)
Kerry Nickols (USA)
Kiara Cook (Australia)
Kristen Howard (Australia)
Letizia Sammut (Australia)
Lesley Sefcik (Australia)
Marji Puotinen (Australia)
Mary-Ellen Feeney (Australia)
Mary McMillan (Australia)
Mette Hoe (Denmark)
Mia Cerfonteyn (South Africa/Iceland)
Robyn Hall (Australia)
Steph Gardner (Australia)
Stephanie Langerock (Belgium)
Tiffini Jones (USA)
Yalimay Jimenez (Venezuela/Australia)
THANK YOU! From all of us!
Northern Colorado Climo Prof 