Ann Bancroft epitomizes what can happen when we imagine. Ann dared to dream about doing something no other woman had ever done before. Of becoming a polar explorer - of uncovering the magic of undiscovered places. And she made her dream come true.

Ann Bancroft’s list of accomplishments is impressive. She was the first woman to travel to the North Pole. She was the only woman on that 1986 expedition led by Will Steger, traveling 1000 miles by dog sled from the Northwest Territories to the North Pole. In 1993, she lead the American Women’s Expedition to the South Pole, a 67-day trek of 660 miles on skis. Just to name a couple of her remarkable adventures and achievements.

“I didn’t go for any other reason but to fulfill my dreams,” she says of a 1986 trip to the North Pole that propelled her into the national spotlight. “I think we do best when we follow our passions.”

Ann’s love of the outdoors began early, during camping and canoeing trips with her parents. At age eight, she led her own expeditions, cajoling cousins into backyard winter camping trips. She camped under the stars and imaged all the places she would go.

“My first adventures were simple ones. We lived in a rural setting, so I’d just escape out the back door. There was plenty of space around, so every day was a great adventure. In fact, those early explorations were the bedrock for fortifying my dreams. They allowed me to playact, and more practically to learn outdoor skills, such as sleeping outside in the winter.”

Ann’s life was changed at age 12 when she read of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s story of survival in Antarctica. From then on, Ann dreamed of the Poles. About the same time, Ann was diagnosed with dyslexia. Somehow this fueled her desire to learn, but to learn experientially.

Since then, Ann has helped others learn, combining her roles as teacher and polar explorer. Her commitment to teaching through experience is what led her to help girls turn their dreams into reality. She started the Ann Bancroft Foundation, whose mission is to support girls and women to realize their highest dreams and potential. For over 10 years, the Foundation has been honoring and encouraging the achievements of girls and women.

Ann’s down-to-earth, friendly and compassionate personality make it easy to get excited and share in her dream. She makes it seem possible, almost easy, to set an intention and make it happen. “I love being a catalyst for breaking down barriers and myths,” she says.

In 2011, Ann will embark on her most ambitious project yet. She and fellow explorer Liv Arnesen will host six women from six continents on the seventh - Antarctica. As a team of eight with a mission to engage 50 million school children from around the globe, they hope to begin a conversation backed by four curricula that will culminate to actionable steps at the South Pole.

Ann Bancroft truly is an empowering person, empowering others.

To learn more about Ann and the Ann Bancroft Foundation, visit www.annbancroftfoundation.org. In honor of Ann and her Foundation’s good work, Empoword is pleased to be contributing 15% of all April online sales to the Ann Bancroft Foundation.