SPEECH TITLES AND/OR TOPICS
Adventure | Change | Diversity | Motivation
Ann Bancroft is one of the world's preeminent polar explorers and an internationally recognized leader. Through her various roles as explorer, educator, and sought-after speaker, she is dedicated to sharing the powerful stories of her expeditions with people worldwide to inspire them to pursue their goals and dreams.
Ms. Bancroft's teamwork and leadership skills have undergone severe tests during her polar expeditions and provided her with opportunities to break down barriers and shatter female stereotypes. The tenacity and courage that define her character have earned Ann Bancroft worldwide recognition as one of today's most influential role models. She has been named among Glamour magazine's Women of the Year (2001); featured in Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century (1998); inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame (1995); named Ms. magazine's "Woman of the Year" (1987); and honored with many other awards for her accomplishments.
Ann is a motivational speaker who brings to audiences her amazing stories of polar exploration, following dreams and overcoming obstacles. She brings her experiences as one of the world's foremost adventurers and always leaves the audience inspired and motivated. With historic images and videos Ann Bancroft conveys what she has learned to any organization and tailors her message to each specific organization's issues and/or themes. As a sought after speaker, Ann leads her audiences on her journeys with a multi-media presentation utilizing historic images and film. Telling about her past journeys and stories of adventure, she motivates audiences to overcome obstacles by showing how she stayed true to her dream.
Ann Bancroft is a spokesperson for the Learning Disabilities Association, Wilderness Inquiry, and Girl Scouts of America. She serves on the board of Youth Frontiers, volunteers for the National Women's Hall of Fame, and is a judge for the Nuclear-Free Future Awards. She is a trail-staff volunteer and co-chairs the capital campaign for Wilderness Inquiry. She is on the advisory board of the Melpomene Institute.
Born in 1955 in Mendota Heights, Minnesota, Ann Bancroft's love of the outdoors began early in life. Aside from the two years she spent with her family in Kenya, East Africa (in fifth and sixth grades), Ann Bancroft was a student of Minnesota's vast wilderness. Her parents often took her on camping and canoe trips in northern Minnesota. At age eight, she began to lead her own mini-expeditions, cajoling her cousins into accompanying her on backyard winter camping trips.
Ann Bancroft's passion for exploring the natural world is matched by her enthusiasm for teaching. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from the University of Oregon, Ann Bancroft taught physical education and special education in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota schools and coached various high school sports.
An internationally known entity, Ann Bancroft's expeditions have been followed by BBC, CNN, National Public Radio, NBC Nightly News and NBC's Today show. She also has been featured in Time, People, USA Today, Ms., McCall's, Ladies Home Journal, Vogue, Good Housekeeping, Glamour, Health, National Geographic, Outside, Sports Illustrated, 0, the Oprah Magazine, and Working Mother.
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