Women Who Went First: Female Travel Pioneers Who Shaped Modern Exploration

In 1889, journalist Nellie Bly set out to circle the globe faster than the fictional hero of Around the World in 80 Days. She completed the journey in 72 days, traveling largely alone and navigating unpredictable steamship and rail schedules.

Her achievement helped normalize solo female travel and demonstrated that women could travel independently, strategically and successfully.

In 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Aviation was still new and widely considered risky. Earhart chose to lead rather than observe, helping redefine women’s roles in aviation and global exploration.

Her legacy continues to influence women in travel and aerospace today.

Denied entry to American flight schools because of her race and gender, Bessie Coleman traveled to France to earn her pilot’s license in 1921.

She returned as the first African American and Native American woman aviator. Her determination broadened representation in aviation and expanded access to opportunity in travel-related fields.

In the 18th century, Jeanne Baret joined a French naval expedition disguised as a man, becoming the first woman to circumnavigate the globe. Her journey highlights the restrictions women faced in early exploration and the determination required to overcome them.

In the 19th century, Isabella Bird traveled extensively across overlooked parts of North America, Asia and the Middle East. Her published writings offered detailed observations of landscapes and cultures few Western women had experienced firsthand.

She later became the first woman admitted to the Royal Geographical Society. Her work demonstrated that firsthand travel experience could shape global understanding. She left a legacy that helped legitimize women’s contributions to exploration and geographic study.

In 1975, Junko Tabei became the first woman to reach the summit of Mount Everest. She later completed the Seven Summits, climbing the highest peak on every continent.

Her achievements reshaped expectations in mountaineering and strengthened women’s representation in extreme travel and adventure. Beyond her record-setting climbs, Tabei advocated for environmental responsibility on the mountains she explored, emphasizing preparation and sustainability.

In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova orbited Earth 48 times aboard Vostok 6, becoming the first woman in space. Her mission marked a major milestone in human travel and exploration beyond Earth.

At the time, spaceflight was still in its early stages, requiring rigorous training and exceptional discipline. Tereshkova’s successful mission expanded representation in aerospace and demonstrated that women could participate in even the most technically demanding forms of exploration. Her journey remains one of the defining moments in the history of global travel.

In 2019, Jessica Nabongo became the first Black woman documented to have visited every country in the world.

By sharing her experiences publicly, she increased visibility and representation in global travel, helping more women see themselves reflected in international exploration. Her journey also highlighted the role of cultural curiosity and thoughtful planning in long-term travel. Through storytelling and community engagement, she has contributed to broader conversations about inclusion and accessibility in modern travel.

Today, women continue to shape travel in new ways. “Going first” may no longer require record-setting achievements or historic expeditions, but it still represents independence, initiative and confidence.

For many travelers, it looks like everyday milestones that carry personal significance:

• Booking a first solo international trip.
• Leading a meeting on a business trip abroad.
• Traveling after a major life milestone or transition.
• Organizing a multi-generational family vacation.
• Exploring a new destination simply for the experience of doing it alone.

Solo female travel has grown significantly in recent decades, supported by greater visibility, stronger global networks and shared travel experiences online. Travelers can now research neighborhoods, review safety guidance, understand entry requirements and connect with local communities before departure. Independent travel is no longer unusual – it is increasingly part of the mainstream travel experience. 

The women who went first reshaped what travel could be. They expanded access, challenged expectations and opened doors that had long been closed. Their journeys required resilience, resourcefulness and the willingness to move forward despite uncertainty.

Today’s travelers continue that progress in more every day, but equally meaningful, ways. Thoughtful planning, awareness of local requirements and practical preparation allow modern explorers to move confidently through unfamiliar environments. 

Confidence in travel is rarely accidental. It grows from understanding your destination, reviewing logistics in advance and thinking through how you would respond if plans change. Small steps like keeping important documents accessible, monitoring travel alerts or building flexibility into itineraries can make a meaningful difference.

When preparation becomes part of the journey, it supports smoother experiences and clearer decision-making along the way.

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