In 1947, Edith "Jackie" Ronne didn’t discover she was traveling to Antarctica until the journey had already started. She accompanied her husband, Commander Finn Ronne, who was in charge of an expedition to the South Pole. However, Jackie was eager for the challenge. Fortunately, she was willing to take charge of the team. An mishap stopped the crew shortly after the journey started. In order to get a new plane to aid in mapping activities, Finn flew back to the United States.

He delegated leadership to Jackie while he was away. She went above and beyond to keep the journey on schedule, as instructed. Weeks later, when Finn returned to the team, his wife was in charge. Finn made things formal after being so pleased with Jackie’s logistical skills. She became the 23rd member of the illustrious expedition after he drafted the necessary legal papers. Finn said that she was to be in charge if something happened to him on the trip, demonstrating his trust in her as well.By the end of it, Jackie became the first American woman in Antarctica and the first to spend the winter there. She also made history as the first female working member of an expedition to the continent. Her work managing the team of researchers and handling public relations was critical to the trek’s success. But she wasn’t the only woman on the trip!