Ann Bancroft was born in Mendota Heights, Minnesota and is an explorer, public speaker, and activist.
In 1993, Ann Bancroft led the American Women's Expedition to the South Pole, a team of four women on ski’s, earning her the honor of being the first woman in history to cross the ice to both the North and South Poles.
In more adventures spanning from 1986 to 2001, Bancroft crossed Greenland east to west, dog sled 1,000 miles across Northwest Canada, and with Liv Arnesen they became the first women to sail and ski across Antarctica's landmass.
(This collection was curated by Shandi Burrows, Archival Assistant)
December 29, 2000 - Ann Bancroft and Liv Arnesen have crossed more than one-third of Antarctica in their attempt to become the first women to traverse the continent under their own power; and they join Lorna Benson to discuss the trip so far.
March 5, 2001 - MPR’s Lorna Benson speaks with Ann Bancroft’s mom, Debbie Bancroft, about what she has heard from her daughter on her trip to ski across the 1,700 miles of Antarctica.
December 10, 2001 - All Things Considered’s Lorna Benson talks with Minnesota explorer Ann Bancroft. At this time a year ago explorer Ann Bancroft was on the polar plateau of Antarctica, pulling a 250-pound sled with teammate Liv Arneson. The pair became the first women in history to cross the continent on skis.
January 2, 2002 - The Minnesota native, along with Norwegian explorer Liv Arneson will begin a kayak trip in mid-May that will take them from the North Shore of Lake Superior to the St. Lawrence Seaway.
May 17, 2002 - Ann Bancroft talks with MPR’s Cathy Wurzer about her six-week trip paddling across the Great Lakes.
June 28, 2002 - Ann Bancroft joins MPR to talk about her and Liv Arnesen’s latest expedition, kayaking across four Great Lakes.
March 6, 2003 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports on more than a thousand gay and lesbian Minnesotans appearing at the Minnesota State Capitol to protest a proposal to remove sexual orientation from the state's human rights law. They called the bill mean-spirited. The bill's author says he wants to prevent homosexuality from being taught in the schools.
March 25, 2004 - MPR’s Laura McCallum reports that the Minnesota State House passed a measure by 88-44 that would put a constitutional amendment question on the ballot in November 2004. It goes next to a Senate committee for vote, where it may be defeated.
March 11, 2019 - As part of Women's History Month, MPR News host Angela Davis sat down with Ann Bancroft, one of the world's most respected polar explorers. Davis also interviews Kathy Lantry in this audio as well.
March 28, 2024 - MPR’s Ellen Finn put together this look at Ann Bancroft’s legacy to celebrate Women’s History Month.