In 2006, Sophia Danenberg became the first African American and the first Black woman to climb to the summit of Mount Everest in Nepal, the world's tallest mountain. Since 1953, only about 2,500 people have actually reached the top and more than 300 people have died trying.
But the potentially deadly climb was not at all easy for Sophia. In fact, when she reached the peak, she was suffering from bronchitis, a stuffed nose, frostbite on her face, and a clogged oxygen mask. Nonetheless, she made it to the top and made it back alive.
She has also successful climbed other famous mountains including Mount Tasman (in New Zealand), Mount Kilimanjaro (in Tanzania), Mount Rainier in Washington State, and Mount Kenya (yes, in Kenya).
Also a business woman
Sophia, however, is more than just a mountaineer. A graduate of Harvard University, she works for Boeing as an aerospace industry expert in global chemical and environmental regulations. Her job is to advise the corporation on EH&S policy developments and interfacing with global trade associations, governments, the United Nations, OECD, APEC and other intergovernmental organizations.
Prior to launching her career, Sophia was a researcher-writer for a travel guide in Thailand and a Fulbright Fellow in environmental economics at Keio University in Tokyo.
She didn't go on her first hike until she was in college when she went rock climbing with a friend.
