| 1921 |
Born on August 30, in Gibbstown, New
Jersey.
Grows up on a small farm and loves exploring the woods near her
home. Her parents teach her to respect wild creatures and not to
be afraid of the unknown. |
| 1948 |
Moves to Clearwater, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico.
She learns all that she can about the wild life in the Gulf and
on its coast.
Receives a scholarship to attend Florida State University. She
supports herself by working in college laboratories. She specializes
in botany so she can better understand life in the ocean.
Earns her Master's degree at Duke University.
Takes time off to get married and have a family. |
| 1964 |
Joins an expedition on the Indian
Ocean.
Struggles to balance the demands of her family life with those of
scientific expeditions that take her all over the world. |
| 1966 |
Earns her PH.D. from Duke. She is the first marine
scientist to make such a detailed study of plant life in the ocean.
|
| 1968 |
Travels 100 feet below the ocean
surface in the Bahamas in a submersible Deep Diver. |
| 1970 |
Along with four other women, lives in an enclosed
habitat on the ocean floor for two weeks.
Becomes a public speaker on the importance of ocean research.
Writes books about her travel down into the sea. She writes for
National Geographic and produces films. |
| 1977 |
Follows and studies sperm whales. |
| 1979 |
Walks in a pressurized suit on the ocean floor
at a depth at which no other human had been before. |
| 1990 |
Becomes the Chief Scientist of the National Oceanographic
and Atmospheric Administration.
Is the author of more than 125 publications, including the 1995
book Sea Change. |
| 1999 |
Plays a key role in the decision of the Clinton administration
to double the budget of the U.S. National Marine
Sanctuaries. |
