Extraordinary Women Leaders in Speleology (EWLS)

In 2010 a three person dive survey team that included Extraordinary Woman Caver Chrissy Richards added an additional 1.3 mi to the cave length of Blue Spring Cave . In only 8 hours this White County, TN cave became quite longer. The dive took 3 hours in 53 degree water. The team found and surveyed an additional approx 1,000' of dry cave. The team found and surveyed a new sump which ended up finally connecting to known passage. "Right after this picture was taken, we realized we had made the connection. I was so excited, cold, tired, and proud. I was part of a three man dive team, two man push team, and 16 years of diving effort to make this connection." Christina said.  The cave is now 38.19 mi long.

My small size "was like something that had been a disadvantage [but when I became a caver] it suddenly made me a super hero.” Stacy Gantt-Blackwood Environmental Scientist and  2014 EWC #ScienceWomen #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

“I enjoy taking people underground for the first time, and seeing that look of wonder on their faces.” Mary Sue Socky NSS Fellow, Retired Biology Teacher, and  2014 EWC #ScienceWomen #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

“Caving gives me ideas for songs, and artwork - along with self-confidence ... Caving truly changed my life." Marian McConnell Author, over 30-year caver, and  2014 EWC #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

"Saving habitats, extending known species records, and rescuing and promoting conservation is my calling.” Kirsten Alvey-Mudd Chef with a Masters in Biological Sciences, Executive Director of Missouri Bat Census, and 2014 EWC #ScienceWomen #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

"All my caving is geared towards education, conservation, exploration, and especially fun.” Gayle Chaney Audiologist, caver for 24 years, and 2014 EWC #ScienceWomen #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

“I love exploration. There is something about being the first person in a passage ... it becomes yours.” Chrissy Richards Cave Diver with a Masters of Fisheries and Aquatic Science and 2014 EWC #ScienceWomen #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

“When I cave, I feel a connection to the Creator. The beauty leaves me speechless. The awesomeness of it all is breathtaking.” Carole Devillers Expedition Photographer Caves of Haiti Project EWLS News Reporter & 2014 EWC #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

"I feel at home underground ... it never ceases to amaze me how beautiful it is ... we cavers must be the only ones, other than astronauts, who are aware of how sweet our lovely planet is.” Carol Whalley Cave Explorer and Photographer for 47 years #WLeadership #ewls www.ewls.org

Each year EWLS's event requires a strong community of supporters in the caving world and these include men. Without the wonderful help from fathers, sons, and brothers in our caving organizations, EWLS would not exist. Thank you for all that you do and Happy Father's Day! #ewls #womencavers #speleology

This amazing woman is a cave photographer as well as a contributing photographer for National Geographic. She goes on many adventure photography expeditions. Her work is represented in the book “Women photographers at National Geographic”. She is also an author as well as a photographer, explorer, adventurer, caver and a lecturer. She has 35 year experience in the field and is also a Social Media Reporter for EWLS. SOURCES adventurephotoexpeditions.com ewls.org/carole-devillers.html

Alvey-Mudd is the president and founder of Missouri Bat Cencus, a nonprofit that helps cave owners and cave management organizations care for and monitor bats. She was also featured in the EWLS annual magazine as an Extraordinary Woman Caver this year. On Dec. 30 she reported about her trip to monitor bats in one of her organizations five NE Missouri sites where they counted 4 species in the 236 bats and found that 43 had been affected by WNS. "One site had over 50% saturation," she wrote, " ... [no] mortalities were seen although it seemed imminent in at least 5 bats." Alvey-Mudd lead this trip with only 3 1/2 months of recovery from major surgery on her heel in 12 degree weather with a -4 wind chill. She was injured in a caving accident years ago and had to have a bone in her foot replaced with a cadaver bone. Despite this physical challenge, Alvey-Mudd continues to push forward regarding caving as a way of life. "[I get] much more practical physical thera...

Aspen Marchington, an 8 year old honored extraordinary woman caver for this year wrote us a letter. Thanks Aspen. We always love hearing from you!

Check out these photos of caves we will see at this year's event. Sign up today at ewls.org! Taken by Kim Luper @ 1999

In October 2013 the Rising Star Expedition was rapidly assembled to recover ancient hominid fossils discovered deep in a South African cave. On the Weekend radio show hosted by Boyd Matson, Lee finally speaks at length, telling the story of the expedition from start to finish. latest episode of the National Geographic. The bones, hidden 30 meters underground, were beyond obstacles including a dangerous squeezes of only 18 cm wide made it necessary to assemble a select team of capable researchers with excavation experience and the unlikely caving skills. A particular size specalist was required to reach the inner chamber. The few who met all these requirements happened to ALL be women. They had to have a master's degree or Ph.D. in paleontology, archaeology or an associated field. They had to be experienced cavers. And they had to be able to fit through a 7-inch-wide (18-centimeter-wide) choke point in the passage leading to the chamber. Fifty-seven qualified researchers appli...

Congrats Carol!