Calendar

Join us as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first class of women explorers! The Pathfinders symposium, co-chaired by Milbry Polk & Elizabeth Weidner alongside Honorary Chair Faanya Rose, is the culmination of a year-long effort highlighting incredible women in exploration – past, present, and future. This two-day symposium, supported by Tory Sport, will feature 10 panels highlighting the work and achievements of Explorers Club women carving the path in exploration and discovery.

On FRIDAY, November 5 – Headquarters will be open all day for a live viewing and networking event. Come meet fellow explorers, and watch the Pathfinders symposium with friends!

FREE OF CHARGE and open to all Club Members, running all day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, with a closing reception from 4:15 pm to 6:00 pm – Friday, November 5.

Please RSVP by emailing [email protected] if you plan to attend in person.

To attend in person, we will require proof of vaccination. If you are making reservations, you must submit proof of vaccination to [email protected] by Noon ET on Thursday, November 4th.

9:00 AM — 9:10 AM

Welcome by Faanya Rose, Honorary Symposium Chair

Honorary Symposium Chair Faanya Rose gives the background on the Women of the Explorers Club 40th Anniversary Project, her experience being the first female president of the club, and the life and exploration of Helen Schreider.

9:15 AM — 10:15 AM

Session 1: Pathfinders Movie

An inside look at the early history of the first women to become members of The Explorers Club. Legendary marine biologist Sylvia Earle guides us into the deep ocean; archaeologist Anna Roosevelt shares new discoveries about human evolution in Amazonia and the Congo Basin; photojournalist Carol Beckwith illustrates the marvels of Africa’s diverse cultures; and astronaut/oceanographer Kathryn Sullivan shows us the world from outer space and from the deepest point on Earth, the Mariana Trench. Following the screening, there will be a live Q&A with:

Devon Chivvis — Host
Kristin Gates
Carol Beckwith
Anna Roosevelt

10:30 AM — 12:00 PM

Session 2: Footprints: Our Human Story

From our ancient ancestors to the next generation, meet women who are exploring what it was, is, and will be to be human. Our journey to follow the footprints of our human story begins in the ancient world where archaeology can pull back the veil of time to understand where we came from. Photography, ethnography and anthropology shed light on the modern day, and our diverse, changing world. Finally we look ahead, considering the patterns of history and where we can go from here.

Denea Buckingham — Host
Alegra Ally
Michele Westmorland
Alicia Stevens
Barbara Busova

12:30 PM — 2:00 PM

Session 3: Disappearances

From Alpine skiers to WWII battleships, even the most advanced tools and seasoned explorers are vulnerable to the inherent dangers of exploration. What happens when planes meant to fly miles above the ground end up on the bottom of the sea floor? When natural disasters strand adventurers in the harsh wilderness? What becomes of these people and vessels when they disappear from the grid completely? Where did they go and what are their stories? Join our panel Disappearances to meet the incredible women who, by seeking out what is lost, solve the mysteries of people, planes, and boats that have vanished from plain sight. Tune in to find out how their work has deepened our understanding of science, history, and what drives us to explore in the first place.

Liz Weidner — Host
Valerie Moore
Susan Purvis
Synnøve Marie Kvam Strømsvåg

2:30 PM — 4:00 PM

Session 4: In Danger! Places Worth Preserving

Our world is changing faster than it has ever before. Melting glaciers, habitat destruction, sea levels rising and rivers vanishing, future generations will inhabit a world very different from today’s. Meet the explorers preserving and documenting the world as we know it, and discover places that may be gone tomorrow.