Oral History Interview Control Form

Name of Interviewee: Dr. Rita Horner (Age 67)

Name of Interviewer: Brian Shoemaker

Date of Interview: 18 August 2000

Place of Interview: Dr. Horner’s office at the University of Washington

Number of Tapes: 2 (3 sides)

Restrictions: No

Cataloged : No

Transcribed: No

Abstract of Contents: Dr. Horner was a fascinating lady to interview. As a woman she has many firsts to her credit she was the first woman scientist to operate out of the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory in Barrow, Alaska; the first to work with plankton in-situ in ice covered waters; the first to work out of Prudhoe Bay; “probably was the first woman” to conduct research from T-3; the first woman to conduct research from an icebreaker; and first woman Chief Scientist to work from an icebreaker. She recounts the difficulties of being accepted into an all-male environment and the charm and ingenuity she employed to endear her to the men and become an accepted as a member of the team. She still goes to sea and deploys to the ice where women have long been accepted – few of them know that it was Rita who led the way. The following are pertinent: 

1. Graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1956.
2. Began graduate research at the University of Washington and Dr Richard Fleming became her mentor. She began to conduct research on marine phytoplankton with George Anderson. This became her primary research specialization and continues to the present day.
3. Her first cruise was on the “Brown Bear” in 1960.
4. Spent several years at the University of Oslo, Norway in the 1960’s studying phytoplankton.
5. Studied red algae under Dr. Richard Norris.
6. In the spring of 1965 she began conducting research from the Naval Arctic Research Laboratory (NARL). She elaborates on the problems that she encountered becoming accepted as well as the environmental problems while conducting research.
7. Worked with Dr. Tom English in the field for many years.
8. Was Assistant Professor at the University of Alaska from 1969 to 1974 and made many research trips to the NARL, the North Slope and onto the sea ice.
9. Returned to the U. of Washington to work on the Alaskan Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program (OCSEAP). Her headquarters have remained here since.
10. Worked from Ice Station T-3 in 1972 –“probably the first woman”.
11. Conducted research from icebreakers in 1973 – the first and only woman at the time. She gives details of her experiences.
12. In 1976 she made a long cruise on the icebreaker Glacier into the Beaufort and Chuckchi Seas – again as the only woman. She has been a permanent fixture on Coast Guard Icebreakers since and has witnessed the increasing role of women at sea in the Arctic in military positions as well as an expansive role as scientists.
13. In 1979 she sailed aboard the USCGC Polar Sea as “Chief Scientist (another first) and has frequently sailed in that capacity since. She has sailed on all active Coast Guard icebreakers since then.
14. In 1983 she made her one and only trip to Antarctic waters aboard the NOAA vessel Surveyor to study phytoplankton.
15. In 1989 she was asked to serve on the Scientific Committee on Arctic and Antarctic Research (SCORE) headed by Dr. Neal Sullivan and later by Steve Akley. She still serves.
16. She also participates in the Gordon Conferences creating links with other nations research programs.