The Story



We are All Antarctica is a story about my father George W. Gibbs, Jr’s adventures as the first person of African descent to set foot on the continent of Antarctica. He sailed on the famous ship the USS Bear in 1939 to 1941 on Admiral Byrd’s III expedition to the South Pole. It was the first joint venture with the US military and private exploration. Gibbs went on to serve humanity in countless ways, paving the way for not only people of color in the community of Rochester, MN but for all people to become more human, serve their community and appreciate differences.

Through compassion, tenacity, faith and countless hours in the trenches, Gibbs’ life is a model for community service, equality and fun. As the lowest rank on the ship, he was honored for his contribution at a time when people with dark skin were considered less than human.

This story integrates my experiences with natural healing, the arts, the science of the ice, the metaphysics of the South Pole and the history of the expedition and its mystery.
Showing posts with label George W. Gibbs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label George W. Gibbs. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Same Challenge for Some Who Make the Trip

I'm reading this morning blog posts from Robert Swan's leadership expedition 2041.  Many people who post are deeply touched by the beauty of the continent.  We wonder how to make a difference, how to make real that Antarctica is a 'barometer" of our planet. (quote in the video of March 6 blog post IAE 2012)

Today, I prepare to do my first presentation for The Women's Optimist Club in Denver. They contacted me after the Denver Post article ran on Feb. 6.  It's a challenge to distill my experience and message to 25 min.  The joke about my father was- if Gibbs is the speaker for your event, you know what the topic will be! Always, always Antarctica.  I didn't hear the formal presentations.  How ironic!

Monday, January 23, 2012

We Are All Antarctica project update

If you've been following me, since December 2011, I'm sure you've seen this project unfold with increasing clarity! I have three schools following my trip to Antarctica: Platte Canyon Fitzsimmons Middle School, Bailey, CO; Gibbs Elementary in Rochester, MN, (1st grade class) and a Free school group who will do a field trip to Denver to learn more about climate change and how we are personally connected through our thoughts, feelings and history.  Start Some Good is a partner for the next phase.  I will design and pilot interactive, curricular materials for students to realize the value of collaboration, based on my father’s community leadership, Antarctic history and climate change. If you have interested groups or leads for schools to participate, please contact me.  A big thanks to Matt Nathan for his coaching and production of the latest video!

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Today in 1940 Gibbs set foot on Antarctica!


From George W. Gibbs, Jr's journal January 14, 1940
"Jan. 14 Anchored this morning in the Bay of Whales at the South Pole and digging holes in the ice with picks and shovels. This was the only way of tying the ship up along the ice. There aren’t any docks at all, was I surprised?? When the Bear came up to the ice close enough for me to get ashore, I was the first man aboard the ship to set foot in Little America and help tie her lines deep into the snow. I met Admiral Byrd; he shook my hand and welcomed me to Little America and for being the first Negro to set foot in Little America."

Sunday, January 8, 2012

New Video We are All Antartica 2012

I'll soon be fundraising with Start Some Good. Here's my latest video with more explanation about the project. "