In brief
Helen Schreider, who along with her husband Frank, made history by being the first to drive the length of the Americas in an amphibious jeep, has passed away at age 98. Despite their joint efforts in exploration, she only received recognition later in life when she was inducted into the Explorers Club.
Helen Schreider, a remarkable figure in exploration and adventure, died on February 6 in Santa Rosa, California, at the age of 98, following a stroke. She, along with her husband Frank Schreider, became the first couple to navigate the entire length of the Americas in an amphibious vehicle, a feat accomplished in the late 1950s. The duo actually traveled from the Arctic Circle to the southern tip of South America, documenting their journey not only through writing but also through captivating photography for National Geographic magazine.The Explorers Club, founded in 1904, had long been a male-dominated fraternity, primarily recognizing male explorers like Roald Amundsen and Sir Edmund Hillary. Frank Schreider was inducted into the club in 1956, while Helen's contributions remained largely unrecognized until 2015, when the club finally lifted its gender restrictions. Faanya Rose, the club’s first female president, acknowledged her long-overdue recognition stating that Helen's explorations flourished amidst an absence of accolades for women, driven purely by her passion and curiosity.A former art student, Helen Schreider traveled with her drawing pad and colored pencils, capturing the essence of her adventures across diverse landscapes in India, Africa, the Middle East, and the Amazon Basin. Her stories, enriched by visual artistry, started from the adventurous beginnings shared with her husband and continued to inspire future generations of explorers.Helen's legacy as an adventurer and a co-pioneer will undoubtedly continue to illuminate the paths of those who strive for exploration and understanding of the world around them.
