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Home / Type of trip / Active / 5 inspirational adventurer mothers

5 inspirational adventurer mothers

March 27, 2014 by Gretta Schifano 21 Comments

Davina McCall Completes Her BT Sports Relief Challenge

Davina McCall Completes Her BT Sports Relief Challenge

I’m in trouble with my kids. I’m not going to be at home on Mother’s Day. I’ll be on my way to Sicily instead (for work) and have been told that I ‘won’t be getting any presents then’. I said that we could celebrate Mother’s Day the following weekend if they’d like to, when I’m back home, but nobody answered me.

Oh dear. To stop myself from feeling guilty I’ve made a list of mothers who’ve been on REALLY BIG  journeys without their children. Although I don’t know how many Mother’s Days they were away for, if any. These are the culprits.

Davina McCall 

British TV presenter and mum-of-three Davina McCall raised more than two million pounds for Sport Relief, a charity for vulnerable people in the UK and abroad. Davina did this by completing an incredibly tough Sport Relief 2014 triathlon over 500 miles from Edinburgh to London in just seven days. The presenter was filmed running, swimming and cycling her way through gruelling weather conditions in February – afterwards she said that this was the toughest thing she’d ever done. Luckily Davina finished her journey before Mother’s Day. Phew.

First woman to cycle around the world

Annie Cohen Kopchovsky was a mother of three children under six when she set out from Boston, USA, to travel around the world by bicycle in 1896. She did this because of a $10,000 bet that no woman would be able to do such a thing. She financed her trip by sticking adverts to her clothes and bike. She managed the journey in just under 15 months, claimed her $10,000 prize and rejoined her family. Annie must have missed at least one Mother’s Day but there’s no record of her children’s reaction to this.

First woman to reach the top of Mount Everest

Junko Tabei was the mother of a three-year-old daughter when she went on an expedition to Everest in 1975. The expedition was a success and the Japanese climber became the first woman to reach the top of the highest mountain in the world. In 1992 Junko then went on to be the first woman to complete the Seven Summits – the highest mountain on each of the seven continents. If she timed her expeditions well she may have managed to always be at home for Mother’s Day but this hasn’t been confirmed.

First mother in space

American chemist Anna Fisher was one of the first female astronauts recruited by NASA. She gave birth to her first child in 1983. The following year, when her baby daughter was 16 months old, Anna became the first mother to go into space. She was on board the space shuttle Discovery on a mission to recover two failed satellites. As her child was a baby when Anna went into space it’s likely that if she did miss Mother’s Day she got away with it.

First person to run 20,000 miles unaided

Rosie Swale-Pope gave birth to her son in 1971 on board the small boat she was sailing from Gibraltar to Australia and back with her husband and young daughter. Following the death of her second husband three decades later, Rosie set off to run around the world on her own. Rosie pulled a cart behind her containing everything she needed and her 20,000 mile journey took nearly five years. Rosie must have been away for at least four Mother’s Days, possibly five.

I wonder if their children were cross with them before they set off. Do you know of any other inspirational adventurer mothers to add to the list? Have you ever been away from home for Mother’s Day?

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Related

Categories: Active, Seasonal
Tags: Mother's Day, Sport Relief 2014

About Gretta Schifano

I'm a freelance journalist and blogger specialising in family travel with teenagers, trips when parents manage to travel without their kids, and 50+ travel. I also write about vegetarian travel, parenting teenagers, adoption, SEN, ADHD and anxiety. My work's been published by the Financial Times, Guardian, Independent, National Geographic Traveller, Lonely Planet and others. I've lived and worked in Italy and Spain and am now based in rural south-east England with my husband, adoptive and birth kids and our dog. I previously worked as a social action radio producer for the BBC.

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Comments

  1. Fritha says

    March 29, 2014 at 1:47 pm

    what inspirational women!
    Fritha recently posted…my life as viewed in IGMy Profile

    Reply
  2. Charly Dove says

    March 28, 2014 at 8:47 pm

    What a wonderful post, all incredible women with amazing stories. I cried like an idiot in Sport Relief but Davina got me at least 3 times! I always wondered why she smiled on the bridge and it’s because she could see her kids.

    I don’t think you should worry about being away (not that you are!), it can’t be helped. Apart from anything else you’re a mummy every day and that’s what matters. I seem to be sharing mine with my in-laws!
    Charly Dove recently posted…MAD Blog Awards Finalist – PhotographyMy Profile

    Reply
  3. Jenny says

    March 28, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    Mother’s Day is a bit of a strange Hallmark holiday. I think we should celebrate Mother’s Day every day, especially if it involves a lie in or breakfast in bed.
    Jenny recently posted…Alternative Easter eggs from PlaymobilMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 28, 2014 at 8:16 pm

      Brilliant idea!

      Reply
  4. agatapokutycka says

    March 28, 2014 at 4:40 pm

    No presents for you? Oh, no!
    I am sure something lovely we await for your return home
    agatapokutycka recently posted…Who / What Am I? 28/03My Profile

    Reply
  5. oana79 says

    March 28, 2014 at 3:40 pm

    Hilarious, the fact that they are cross with you for not giving them a chance to spoil you :-). Didn’t know all these things, your post made an interesting read!
    oana79 recently posted…Sterimar Congestion Relief – ReviewMy Profile

    Reply
  6. Pinkoddy says

    March 28, 2014 at 2:13 pm

    What truly inspirational and remarkable women.
    Pinkoddy recently posted…Mother’s Day After Loss – A letter to my MotherMy Profile

    Reply
  7. Kerry says

    March 28, 2014 at 11:29 am

    Great list of inspirational women, I do agree that Davina is- she really is amazing!
    Kerry recently posted…MumspirationMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Kara says

    March 28, 2014 at 6:43 am

    Davina is amazing isn’t she. We don’t really celebrate Mothers Day here, I don’t think the kids would be bothered if I were here or not lol
    Kara recently posted…The Gallery – SwimmingMy Profile

    Reply
  9. Sam @happyhomebird says

    March 27, 2014 at 11:39 pm

    That was great reading through the list of inspirational women, I didn’t know about them aside from Davina of course. I’ve never been away, ever, at any time – I need to though!! 🙂
    Sam @happyhomebird recently posted…My Mother’s Day plantsMy Profile

    Reply
  10. Rachel @ activities4kidz says

    March 27, 2014 at 11:03 pm

    Some pretty amazing ladies there!! I’ve only ever spent one night away from my youngest (he is 17m) and 3 nights away from my eldest (2 of which was when I was in hospital giving birth to his brother!)
    Rachel @ activities4kidz recently posted…Easter Egg Potato PrintingMy Profile

    Reply
  11. suzanne3childrenandit says

    March 27, 2014 at 10:16 pm

    This really is a tough one, I feel for you! But please don’t feel guilty, as mothers our lives are one massive guilt trip and our children like nothing better than rubbing salt into the wound. I have no doubt that your children will NOT remember this in years to come. Forget about it and remember these amazing women!
    suzanne3childrenandit recently posted…Overcoming HurdlesMy Profile

    Reply
    • Gretta Schifano says

      March 27, 2014 at 10:25 pm

      Thank you Suzanne, that’s very kind of you!

      Reply
  12. Kirsty Hijacked By Twins says

    March 27, 2014 at 10:13 pm

    I am sure that you won’t be in their bad books for long. That is a list of brave, inspirational women. I don’t think I could go away for even a fraction of the time that they have. The longest I’ve been away from my 9yo is 3 days when hubby and I had a honeymoon break and we’ve only just had our first night without the twins. Hope you have a great journey, I’d love to visit Sicily x
    Kirsty Hijacked By Twins recently posted…How Does Your Garden Grow? Week 13 2014My Profile

    Reply
  13. Gude @HodgePodgeCraft says

    March 27, 2014 at 9:34 pm

    Wow – what a bunch of over-achievers!! Makes me feel very lazy…
    I’ve actually requested some time without the kids for Mothers day! I am looking forward to a nice brunch with them and then an afternoon with MY MUM in peace 😉
    Gude @HodgePodgeCraft recently posted…How to make egg chicks for EasterMy Profile

    Reply
  14. Donna Navarro @LexiconLane says

    March 27, 2014 at 9:32 pm

    Inspirational ladies listed here Gretta, love it! I sat in tears watching Davina complete her challenge, what an amazing lady and a great role model.

    Reply
  15. You Baby Me Mummy says

    March 27, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    Great women, I am in total awe of Davina, she is truly an inspiration. I had never heard about Rosie before but wow that is amazing! x
    You Baby Me Mummy recently posted…What Mother’s Day means to meMy Profile

    Reply
  16. Kirsty says

    March 27, 2014 at 8:57 pm

    Through the magic of tech I am sure you can FaceTime or Skype them and I hope they will forgive you! Poor Mums you will always be damned if you do and damned if you don’t!
    Kirsty recently posted…Kids Easter Craft Hatching ChickMy Profile

    Reply
  17. Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) says

    March 27, 2014 at 4:15 pm

    Great inspirational women. Women role models are fantastic
    Jen Walshaw (@Mum_TheMadHouse) recently posted…Homemade Mothers Day Cards for kids to makeMy Profile

    Reply
  18. Globalmouse says

    March 27, 2014 at 1:19 pm

    A great list of inspirational mothers. I saw part of the documentary on Davina McCall and was SO impressed by her and everything she put in to her quest. Amazing. Have a great trip to Sicily!! I bet you’ll get your presents the following week 😉
    Globalmouse recently posted…Vapiano, Bankside – a restaurant reviewMy Profile

    Reply
  19. Mummy of Two says

    March 27, 2014 at 1:06 pm

    Oh dear! Sounds like you are really in the dog house! Some great choices there – what Davina achieved for Sport Relief was unreal!
    Mummy of Two recently posted…Improving my cake decorating skills with Cake AngelsMy Profile

    Reply

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This is a personal blog written and edited by me, Gretta Schifano. Sometimes I’m given products or sent on trips to review, but I always make this clear and give my honest opinion. See my About page for full details.

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