Girlguiding London and South East England ambassador Bec Ellul is one of 100 women joining an expedition to Antarctica on board The Island Sky today, 12 November 2023. The expedition, departing from Puerto Madryn, Argentina, is part of Homeward Bound, a global initiative supporting women with a background in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) into leadership.
The women on the voyage are from 19 countries and have a huge variety of occupations within STEMM. Over the three-week voyage, the women will be guided through an immersive programme to develop the will and the skills to be more visible and effective leaders. This is the fourth group in this initiative to depart for the southernmost continent, becoming the largest all-women expedition to Antarctica.
Bec said: "I'm incredibly excited to be travelling to one of the areas of the planet most synonymous with the climate crisis, as well as being known for extraordinary remote beauty, unique wildlife, and home to powerful stories of human leadership and endurance.
"Girls and women are traditionally under-represented in the fields that work towards meaningful solutions for mother nature, and so it is a pleasure and a privilege to be undertaking this expedition with 100 women and faculty all charged with energy for ambitious collective leadership."