In the summer of 1905, a remarkable Canadian widow named Mina Hubbard embarked on a challenging expedition to map the uncharted northeastern corner of Labrador, spanning from Lake Melville to Ungava Bay, an inlet leading to the Arctic Ocean. A former nurse who left formal education at the young age of 16, Mina was not deterred by the harsh realities of her environment; rather, she was inspired by a quest to honor the memory of her late husband, Leonidas Hubbard, who tragically perished two years prior during a similar adventure.
Despite her determination and resilient spirit, Mina faced not only physical dangers on her daunting 600-mile journey—ranging from starvation and territorial bears to freezing rivers—but also a barrage of disparaging remarks from a predominantly male outdoor press in early 20th-century North America. The prominent publication, Outing magazine, once edited by Caspar Whitney, was particularly vitriolic, asserting that “the widow” should never have entered the wilderness, let alone handled such dangerous talk about it. They viewed the wild as an unsuitable domain for a woman, especially one guided by First Nations’ people.
In a time when women’s voices and contributions were often overshadowed, other media outlets described Mina as a grief-stricken hysteric. Reports questioning her mental state served only to fuel a narrative that diminished her significant undertakings. When Mina was 300 miles into her trek and had discovered the source of the Naskaupi River, The New York Times sensationally declared on its front page that she had abandoned her expedition. In reality, she continued on her journey, triumphantly reaching Ungava Bay weeks ahead of another explorer, Dillon Wallace, who was wrongly reported to be surpassing her endeavours.
Mina Hubbard’s story resonates profoundly today as it highlights a historical pattern of sidelining women in exploration narratives, reflecting a gender bias that persists. In my book, “Wildly Different: How Five Women Reclaimed Nature in a Man’s World,” I delve into this recurring theme – the perception of the wild as a man’s domain is centuries old, echoing myths and stories from around the globe.
Even in modern contexts, studies reveal that women are often discouraged from engaging in adventurous outdoor activities, haunted by fears of harassment and safety threats compared to the dangers posed by wildlife. Initiatives like “Woman with Altitude” and the “Tough Girl Podcast” are working tirelessly to change this narrative, empowering women to reclaim the natural world and explore its wonders without fear.
Mina’s journey and the stories of women like her illuminate the powerful legacy of female perseverance in the face of adversity, particularly when challenged by societal norms. As we continue to strive for equality in every aspect of life, including outdoor exploration, we must honor these trailblazers, ensuring that their contributions are celebrated and recognized for the courageous feats they represent.
#Lifestyle #WomenInExploration
