Extraordinary Women Leaders in Speleology (EWLS)

Since 2013 when the first Extraordinary Women Cavers Guidebook and Magazine was first released, women cavers have been telling their stories from all over the world. This year the magazine features six women cavers: Amy Morton (Texas), Blanca Aili Usuga (Columbia), Cinthia Campos (California), Nicole Davis (Arizona), Rhyss Anne Plaza (Oregon), and Tanya Masse Leach (Texas). Extraordinary Women Leaders in Speleology (EWLS) is a club that celebrates women who contribute to cave exploration, education, and conservation and specifically supports women in STEM sciences. The club also supports the arts. "We have shared stories about women all over the globe from fine artists, to geologists, to paramedics," said Lisa Bauman, club founder and president. Above is a map of all the women featured in the publication in the 5 years since it's origination. The stars represent club officers who have been featured. You can determine the year a woman was featured by the color. R...

Cinthia Campos was chosen to be featured in the Extraordinary Women Cavers Guidebook and Magazine for along side several other extraordinary women cavers in the 2017 August release of the annual publication. Cinthia became interested in caving while attending an archaeology class in college. She is a certified HeartSaver and cave mapper/cartographer. Cinthia participates in the Quintana Roo Cave Mapping Project and has discovered 26 subterranean sites. She launched the Tarascan Cave Reconnaissance to survey sites in Michoacán, a region of Mexico that is largely unexplored and even did work to preserve bats in Mexican caves that were threatened by guano poachers. Welcome Cinthia and congratulations on becoming an EWC!

Tanya was chosen to be featured in the Extraordinary Women Cavers Guidebook and Magazine for along side several other extraordinary women cavers in the 2017 August release of the annual publication. Tanya is a Army veteran and traveling Laboratory Technologist. Her favorite aspect of caving is cave projects and especially mapping. Tanya attended the All-Grrs-Cave-Trip (AGCT) and the Northwest Caving Association Regional Event last year and has volunteered for many cave-related projects such as the TX Hydro Geo workshop , Buckaloo Cave survey, and the Spinx Cave clean up. Welcome Tanya! We are so happy you have become an Extraordinary Woman Caver!

Khalvin Cook has been Vice President of EWLS for 5 years! He helps with everything from cooking events meals to managing safety in difficult cave trips. Thank you for being awesome!

Tabitha Rossman has been with us for 2 years! She manages the Instagram Photography blog, creates numerous community relationships, shares her awesome photography, and writes articles. We appreciate all you do lady!

Happy 1st year Karla Zajac as our first co-editor for Extraordinary Women Cavers, the EWLS annual magazine. You have been a tremendous help and great asset to the team! http://www.ewls.org/karla-zajac.html

“My mom taught me … I like caving because there is a chance I could see bats!" Rebekah Bauman Caving since 3 years old and 2013 EWC #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

Tabitha Rossmass has been the Photography Blog Director for one year at EWLS. She has been a strong advocate for the EWLS mission. “She is in inspiration really” said Lisa Bauman, EWLS President. “Tabitha operates more like a advocate than a blogger. She is so dependable and wonderful and she truly cares about people.” Tabitha has donated countless hours to inspire people on social media but she also contributes on the field. In 2015 she volunteered as a trip leader at the EWLS annual event, arriving days early to help with the event preparation. She finds contributors for EWC in the annual magazine and coordinates with local caving and community organizations as a volunteer. “I am working to build a community of women cave photographers and create a place where we can learn from each other.” Tabitha said. Tabitha graduated from New Mexico State University (NMSU) in 2014 with a BS in Agriculture with an emphasis in Wildlife Science and have over three years of experience with mon...

Devillers is an internationally published photographer, writer, and caver with several articles in the National Geographic magazine, and photos in Reuters News and various books. In 2009 she co-created an on-going long-term project of exploration, promotion, and conservation of the caves of Haiti, which became a touring exhibit in 2014 right after she was featured in the Women Cavers Guidebook & Magazine. Carole is passionate, dedicated, and experienced and her contributions to EWLS make her a valuable asset on our team. We are glad to have you Carole! Thank you for supporting women in caving. #womencavers #ewls #speleology Read more about Carole here: ewls.org

Sánchez is an archaeologist and co-director of the Mensabak Archaeological Project (MAP) in the SouthernLacandon Rainforest of Chiapas, Mexico. She is member of the Jaguar Speleological Group in Mexico, the British Columbia Speleological Federation, and the Northern British Columbia Caving Club. She serves on the Board of Directors with EscaparARTE and the President and founding member of Xanvil, a Mexican organization dedicated to the promotion of Mayan culture and the conservation of the natural environment of Mesoamerica. We are glad to have you Adriana! Thank you for supporting women in caving! #womencavers #ScienceWomen #ewls #speleology Read more about Adriana here: ewls.org

Since 2012 EWLS has been working to change perceptions about women in science and especially speleology. Today we can say we are proud of this small victory! #ewls #womencavers #speleology