Early Life
Sylvia Earle was born on August 30, 1935 in Paulsboro, New Jersey. She lived on an old farm with her mother(Alice Freas Richie), father(Lewis Reade Earle) and two brothers(Evan and Lewis Earle). She would spend hours outside when she was young. Since there were so many creatures near her on the farm, especially in the creek, she never felt lonely. She would observe her surroundings and write her observations in a notebook. She was already a biologist! Later in her life, her family moved to Clearwater, Florida. Sylvia missed her old home, but when she got to her new home, she was surprised to see the Gulf of Mexico right next to her house! Before, she could only visit the Atlantic Ocean. For her coming birthday, she got a pair of goggles. She continued making her observations. At age 16, she swam , 30 feet all the way to the bottom of a river using diving gear for the first time.
Adulthood
Sylvia Earle was a great learner. Sadly, her parents couldn't afford sending her to college. As determined as she is, Sylvia studied and worked hard. Soon, she got a scholarship to go to Florida State University. That is where she first went scuba diving researching algae for her university degree. She later specialized in botany. She went to Duke University as well and earned her Master's Degree. Sylvia Earle did many amazing things people don't do very often. Sylvia took a break to start a new family. But she never stopped diving into the ocean. She got married to a man name Graham Hawks and later gave birth to a boy(John Richie Taylor) and a girl(Elizabeth Earle). Sylvia struggled to keep her life in balance, so, sadly, she got divorced. Still alive, Sylvia Earle is an explorer in residence at the National Geographic Society/marine biologist.
Recognition/Tribute
Sylvia Earle was a very brave and courageous woman. She had a dream, which was also her goal, and pushed until she accomplished it. One thing she has said has really proved this point; "Our past, our present, and whatever remains of our future, absolutely depend on what we do now." In honor of my Famous American, my tribute is going to be a house that is shaped like an camera, underwater. I decided to do this because Sylvia Earle always wanted to live underwater. The house is shaped like a camera because she was an oceanographer. Sylvia Earle is famous for her many trips to the ocean and famous expeditions. I am that I got to know about her and I am proud to have her as my Famous American.
Achievements
- Joining an expedition where she was the only woman among seventy men
- Leading a team of divers stationed for two weeks in a deep-sea laboratory
- Walking on the ocean floor in an aqua suit that looked like a space suit
- Descending 3,000 feet in the Pacific Ocean in a one-person spherical bubble she had helped to design
- Plunging 13,00 feet underwater in a Japanese submersible
Awards
- Glamour Woman of the Year
- 2011 Royal Geographical Society Gold Medal
- 2011 Medal of Honor from the Dominican Republic
- 2009 TED Prize
- Netherlands Order of the Golden Ark
- Australia's International Banksia Award
- Italy's Artiglio Award
- International Seakeepers Award
- International Women's Forum
- National Women's Hall of Fame
- Academy of Achievement
- Los Angeles Times Woman of the Year
- Medals from the Explorers Club
- Philadelphia Academy of Sciences
- Lindbergh Foundation,
- National Wildlife Federation
- Sigma Xi
- Barnard College
- The Society of Women Geographers
Sites/Links
sylvia_earle_biography_--_academy_of_achievement.mhtml | |
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sylvia_earle_oceanographer_information_facts_news_photos_--_national_geographic.mhtml | |
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sylvia_alice_earle___american_oceanographer_and_explorer___britannica.com.mhtml | |
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