Sylvia Earle

Sylvia Earle

I picked her because I always wanted to be a marine biologist. She was born on August 30, 1935 in Gibbstown, New Jersey. She first dove at the age of 16. She was four months pregnant when she became the first woman to look through the porthole of a submersible. She also participated in the navy’s Tektite Project.

After a year and a half on the job and several confrontations with lawmakers; Earle realized she wasn’t cut out for dealing with the politics of the bureaucracy. She resigned her position.

"Today, Earle divides her time between directing sustainable seas expeditions & serving as explorer–in-residence for the National Geographic society." That is why I picked her.