Shirley Metz

Shirley Metz’s careers and accomplishments have spanned the globe. Born in Minnesota, she grew up in Europe and Hawaii, graduating from the University of Hawaii in Honolulu. Shirley became a certified diver at age 16 and while at UH did shark research earning her degrees in Marine Biology and Communications. She met her first husband in Hawaii with whom she founded Hobie Sports. She also developed several clothing lines and consulted to outdoor companies such as the North Face.

In early 1988 Shirley visited Antarctica and became inspired to work in Antarctic conservation. To raise awareness, she became a member of an international expedition that would attempt to ski 800 miles from the edge of Antarctica to the South Pole. On January 17, 1989, the nine-member expedition arrived at the end of the world. Shirley made history and her way into the Guinness Book of Records as the first woman to ski overland to the South Pole. Following a chance meeting in Antarctica in 1990 Shirley met and married Peter Harrison. Over the course of nearly 30 years they have founded and owned 3 expedition companies. In concert with their travels, they have helped to raise millions of dollars towards global conservation efforts. Shirley is a board member of the “Friends of South Georgia,” under the auspices of the South Georgia Heritage Trust and continues to raise funds and awareness for environmental issues. She is a member of the Explorers Club and the Society of Woman Geographers and a recipient of the Soviet Polar medal.