This International Women’s Month, we’re celebrating Black women who have broken barriers, defied expectations, and paved the way for more inclusive outdoor spaces. From conservationists and mountaineers to environmental activists and outdoor educators, these trailblazers have shaped the way we all connect with nature today.

Their stories inspire us to keep pursuing our mission to change the narrative of who can recreate in the outdoors, re-strengthen Black connections to land, water, and wildlife, and ensure that future generations continue to thrive in the great outdoors.

Sophia Danenberg: Breaking Barriers on Everest

 

Sophia Danenberg is best known as the first African American and first black woman to climb Mount Everest, the world’s tallest mountain.

While she always embraced new experiences and adventures, it wasn’t until 1999 after a friend encouraged her to try rock climbing that Sophia Danenberg became involved in mountaineering. A few short years later in 2002, Danenberg completed her first major climb summiting Mount Rainier.

Between 2002 and 2005, Danenberg continued to scale some of the world’s most impressive peaks, including Mt. Kilimanjaro (Tanzania), Mount Denali (Alaska), Mount Tasman (New Zealand), and several others. In 2006, Sophia Danenberg took it to the next level when she summited the 29,000ft climb of Mount Everest, making history as the first Black woman and first African American to summit Mount Everest.

Her achievement shattered stereotypes and opened doors for more Black women in mountaineering. She continues to inspire climbers of all backgrounds to reach new heights.

 

Audrey Peterman: Champion for Public Lands

 

Tirelessly working to ensure that national parks and public green spaces are welcoming and accessible to everyone, Audrey Peterman is one of the leading advocates for diversity in public lands.

Born and raised in Jamaica, she was exposed to lush landscapes and the beauty of the outdoors, developing an early appreciation for the inherent connection between people and nature. When she moved to the United States, she was shocked to see a drastic lack of Black representation in national parks and conservation efforts.

Peterman swiftly set out to change the narrative, becoming a fierce advocate for diversity in public lands. She has spent decades traveling to, advocating for, and promoting national parks, speaking out about the need for inclusion, and pushing for policies that make these spaces more welcoming for all communities.

Audrey Peterman’s work has influenced policies and inspired countless others to engage with and protect natural spaces, ensuring that public lands truly belong to everyone.

 

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson: Ocean Advocate and Climate Leader

 

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is a biologist, policy expert, writer, and conservation strategist dedicated to protecting our oceans and ensuring environmental justice for coastal communities.

Although Dr. Johnson grew up in Brooklyn, New York, it was her summers spent by the ocean that contributed to her lifelong love for marine life. She later earned a Ph.D. in marine biology, dedicating her career to protecting our oceans.

In 2018, she co-founded the Urban Ocean Lab—an organization that cultivates rigorous, creative, equitable, and practical climate and ocean policy for the future of coastal cities. It’s clear to see that Dr. Johnson is in love with climate solutions

Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson continues to inspire us to take action to protect our planet’s waters and fight for climate solutions that benefit everyone.

 

Dr. Carolyn Finney: Storyteller and Advocate for Representation

 

Dr. Carolyn Finney is a storyteller and scholar whose work has challenged mainstream beliefs about race and the environment, and pushed for more diversity in outdoor spaces.

Dr. Finney grew up on a farm in upstate New York, where she developed an early connection to nature. As her passion for nature grew, she noticed that Black narratives were often missing from conversations regarding the environment and outdoor recreation.

Her determination to change this drove her work as a writer, scholar, and cultural geographer studying the intersection between the environment and race. In 2014, she published a book Black Faces, White Spaces, expanding upon her advocacy work and challenging common narratives about who belongs in nature, pushing for greater inclusivity and representation in outdoor spaces.

Dr. Finney’s work continues to reshape the way we think about representation in the outdoors, inspiring deeper conversations about access and belonging.

 

Celebrating the Women Who Inspire Us

These are just a few of the many Black women who have made lasting contributions to the outdoor world. Their courage, determination, and love for nature continue to inspire new generations to explore, protect, and reclaim outdoor spaces.

This International Women’s Month, we invite you to celebrate the Black women who inspire you. Share their stories, honor their legacy, and join us in making the outdoors a space where everyone belongs.