Barbara Hillary

Barbara Hillary, a native New Yorker, spent her early life as a nurse and community activist. After retiring and later successfully battling lung cancer, Hillary spent her time snowmobiling and dog sledding. Upon learning that no African-American woman had ever reached the North Pole, Hillary committed to an intense physical training regiment and raised $40,000 to make the trip herself. On April 23, 2007, at the age of 75, Hillary became the first African-American woman to ski to, and stand on the North Pole.