Today, we ventured onto the sea ice of Wilhelmina Bay, a vast expanse of stillness framed by a glacial backdrop. We are so privileged to visit one of Earth’s most remote places. As we left the fast ice behind for our afternoon plans, we encountered two different types of Antarctic killer whales, B1s and B2s. The B1s had just made a seal kill. Predation events are so important for the local birdlife and the water’s surface danced with petrels and gulls feasting on the scraps.
This evening during our Thanksgiving feast, I reflected on how lucky we all are. Until relatively recently, women were excluded from this place. While a few women set foot on Antarctica as early as 1935, it wasn’t until the 1960s that women began contributing meaningfully to Antarctic science and exploration. Today, I am honored to stand here, pursuing my dreams and introducing this magical continent to other women, all while still being a mother. Though oceans separate me from my daughter, today modern technology allowed us to connect. This Thanksgiving, I am thankful for my ship family and the fact that I have been given the opportunity to show her that dreams and family can coexist.
Photos by Jessica Farrer and Maya Santangelo
