The Vanguard of Outward Bound with Dr. Marion Somers

In the early 1970’s Dr. Marion Somers, an avid outdoorsman, decided she wanted to attend the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS) in Maine. Only problem – no women allowed. Marion began a 2-year campaign appealing to Outward Bound senior management including CEO Josh Miner who founded the first U.S. Outward Bound school in 1962.
Marion spent months calling, writing letters and receiving no response. Frustrated, she turned the power of her pen and voice against Miner and the organization and began a letter writing campaign to senators, congressmen, the media and just about anyone who would listen. She pointed out the sexist folly and that history would judge them harshly if they didn’t help right this wrong.
One day Josh did finally call to personally invite Marion to join the first ever integrated Hurricane Island Outward Bound School (HIOBS) in Maine. Marion experienced 7 days sailing on an “open pulling boat” (a traditional Maine sail-and-oar “dory”) with no cabin, minimal shelter, and only sails and oars for propulsion. Finally, each participant spent 3 days completely alone on their own small Maine island — the famous Outward Bound “Solo” where you are expected to forage, reflect, rest, and apply what you’ve learned in solitude.
Marion Somers has accomplished many amazing things in her life from conquering severe dyslexia to achieving a Ph.D coming from a family where no one had ever graduated high school. But her greatest single achievement was helping to get Outward Bound integrated and experiencing HIOBS.

This program was organized by Craig Caryl #1230.