Women of
the Halls of Fame
Female Skier
Birthday: September 27, 1955
Hometown: Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Year Inducted: 1995
Other than the two years that Ann's family spent in Kenya, Africa when she was a child, this professional skier spent her childhood essentially in the wilderness of Minnesota. Ann spent hours camping and canoeing as a child and enjoyed these activities as her favorite hobbies.
Ann received her B.S. in Physical Education from the University of Oregon and went on to teach physical education and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. She coached numerous high school sports.
Some awards given to Ann Bancroft over the years include:
The 2001 Glamour "Woman of the Year" award
An honorable mention in the book "Remarkable Women of the 20th Century"
Miss Magazine's "Woman of the Year" in 1987
In 1986, Ann made her first recognized sports adventure when she was the only female member of Steger International Polar Expedition, which dogsledded from Canada to the North Pole. They crossed 1,000 miles in 56 days, and Ann was the first woman to make the trip in history.
In 1992, Ann led the first American trip from east to west coast of Greenland.
She again made history in 1993, when she led the American Women's Expedition on a 67-day trip of 660 mileson skis. This trip included four women.
Along with polar explorer Liv Arnesen, Ann Bancroft became one of the first two women in history to ski and sail across Antartica in 2001. The trip was 1,717 miles long and took 94 days.
Ann Bancroft has used her fame and fortune for the good of others by founding her own personal organization -- the Ann Bancroft Foundation. According to its mission statement, this non-profit organization "supports girls and women to realize their highest dreams and potential. The Foundation endeavours to live its mission by recognizing individual achievement and by promoting initiatives that inspire courage, risk-taking, integrity, and individuality in girls and women."
Ann currently lives in Scandia, Minnesota, near the coast of the St. Croix river. In 2006, she publicly campaigned against a proposed state amendment that would constitutionally ban same-sex marriage. She is an instructor for Wilderness Inquiry, an organization that helps disabled people explore the wilderness. She is committed to causes such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy. She volunteers for women's health research, numerous literacy promoting organizations, and the Special Olympics.