In conversation with… Leilani Raashida Henry

21/10/2024

We chat with Leilani Raashida Henry about her father, George W Gibbs Jr – the first black man to set foot on Antarctica – and how his journal inspired her book.

Leilani Raashida Henry is a facilitator, coach, artist, public speaker and author. She was born in Hawaii, raised in Minnesota and now lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado with her partner Henry, an award-winning kaleidoscope maker.

In 2021, Henry wrote her first book, The Call of Antarctica: Exploring and Protecting Earth's Coldest Continent which draws heavily on the diary entries of her father, George Washington Gibbs Jr – the first black man to set foot on Antarctica.

George Washington Gibbs Jr

Gibbs joined Rear Admiral Richard E Byrd's third Antarctic expedition, also known as the United States Antarctic Service Expedition (1939–1941), aboard the USS Bear. Gibbs kept a journal throughout the expedition. On 14 January 1940, the USS Bear anchored in the Bay of Whales and the 23-year-old Gibbs wrote:

“When the Bear came up to the ice close enough for me to get ashore, I was the first man aboard the ship to set foot in Little America and help tie her lines deep into the snow. I met Admiral Byrd; he shook my hand and welcomed me to Little America and for being the first Negro to set foot in Little America.”

During the expedition, Gibbs helped to establish West Base (Little America III), near the Bay of Whales, and East Base on Stonington Island on the Antarctic Peninsula. Gibbs, along with the other two black men aboard the ship, faced some racism, but he didn’t acknowledge it much in his journal. At one point, he notes that there were sailors “who at times make this cruise very hard for me”. 

Gibbs aboard the USS Bear (Jim Richardson/Leilani Raashida Henry)

Gibbs earned the respect of the leadership, who commended him twice during his time aboard the USS Bear, once for his work to ready the ship for its journey, and a second time for “outstanding zeal and energy and for unusual spirit of loyalty and cooperation which he invariably displayed under trying conditions.” 

Gibbs's diaries were misplaced for years behind a bedroom dresser until his wife found them soon after his death in 2000. The diaries were handed to his daughter, Leilani, who then endeavoured to bring her father’s story to print. We caught up with Leilani to chat about her and her father’s journeys.

How did you first become interested in Antarctica?

My father spoke of the continent when I was growing up but it wasn’t until I bought something from the store Banana Republic, and they had Antarctica on the paper bag, that I realised Antarctica was more important than I thought.

What was your favourite story your father told you from his voyage to Antarctica? 

He talked about the USS Bear getting stuck in the ice. He imagined officers walking around with salt and pepper shakers having in their minds who they would eat first (if they had that kind of hardship where many people would die.) He had a wonderful sense of humour. It was also interesting to read about how he had to catch penguins with his bare hands. It was a sign of the times and, of course, quite rightly unacceptable by today's standards.

Tell us about The Call of Antarctica.

Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, highest, driest and most remote part of the world. It is true wilderness. In the book, I recount my father’s expedition while attempting to educate readers on the incredible geography, biodiversity and history of the continent. Using diary entries from my father’s expedition, the book takes readers on a journey to the brutal Antarctic landscape to learn its history, its present and the importance of protecting its future.

Leilani's book highlights why Antarctica needs protection (Leilani Raashida Henry)

In 2048, the Antarctic Treaty, which has protected the continent for decades, will be up for renewal. This book will help readers understand the stakes for humans and Antarctica. With a better awareness of the continent – its landscape, its history and its wildlife – readers will be prepared to make decisions and take actions that will have a constructive impact on Earth.

What was it like to tackle a book that also featured your father?

It was a difficult project because I knew nothing about Antarctica or my father’s experiences on Byrd III. I wasn’t sure if I needed to write a biography or if I needed to focus on the expedition overall. In the end, the book was a combination of both. This book is a brief introduction to the continent of Antarctica and its surrounding ocean, an overview of its history and a sample of the science behind how the continent works. It touches upon Antarctica's geology, biology and environment. As a way of discovering more about the continent, it also intersperses my father’s story.

The diary entry from the day Gibbs landed on Antarctica (Leilani Raashida Henry)

How did you do your research?

I read many books about Antarctica and travelled to the Scott Polar Research Center in Cambridge, England; The National Archives in College Park, Maryland; the Byrd Polar Research Center at Ohio State in Columbus, Ohio; the Schomburg Research Center for Black Culture in Harlem, New York; and plumbed the depths of local libraries and online resources. 

I landed on Antarctica on 15 February 2012 – Ernest Shackleton‘s 138th birthday. I flew to King George Island and trekked for a day before going on to visit the continent proper and achieve my goal of stepping foot on Antarctica. I also travelled up the coast of Chile to reenact some of the places where the ship docked when they returned from Little America III.

Leilani visiting the James Caird at Dulwich College (Leilani Raashida Henry)

Did you discover anything that surprised you in your father’s diaries? 

Even though this was during the time of Jim Crow segregation in the USA, the crew were not segregated on the ship. Only a couple of times did my father mention any hardship based on race. He was given the opportunity to go to parties with admirals to celebrate the end of the expedition. The crew were treated like equal team members.

What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your book? 

The love for the continent of Antarctica and the reason it needs to be protected.

Do you still have a dream destination you haven't visited?

I would still love to visit New Zealand.

What's next for you?

I’m working on getting my father into the Society of Forgotten Explorers at the Explorers Club. I’m speaking at two of their events this year, including one at their original venue in New York City. I’m excited to be a lecturer on a National Geographic cruise to Antarctica. In 2025, I plan to finish the play I have written about the expedition while a few colleges and grammar schools in London have invited me to speak about my book. 

What luxury item would you take if you were working at Port Lockroy for the season?

I would take my Brain Jewells oracle card deck. The cover photos are from my partner’s kaleidoscope images.

Leilani with her oracle cards (Leilani Raashida Henry)

Finally, what’s your favourite species of penguin?

My favourite species of penguin is the emperor. I understand that they may be endangered, and I so far have not seen one because they live in the coldest part of Antarctica. My father was asked to catch penguins with his bare hands during the expedition for the Smithsonian research which, quite rightly, is not permitted now.

Leilani's favourite penguin species is the emperor (Credit: Vladsilver/Shutterstock)

The Call of Antarctica: Exploring and Protecting Earth's Coldest Continent is available from major booksellers.