The Women of Berg Field Center

Rosemary Garofalo, Elizabeth Morton, Mimi Fujino, and Kathy Young in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Photo: Marie McLane

The stars and planets and whirlwind lives of some legendary women aligned a few weeks ago. The women, each of whom fledged her polar career at the McMurdo Station, Antarctica field gear shop called the Berg Field Center (BFC), bumped into each other in Kangerlussuaq, NSF’s research program hub in Greenland.  Their combined years represent decades of service to the antarctic research community. 

We got to thinking about how many of us at Polar Field Services have worked in the BFC. Our Kahuna, Jill Ferris, got her start there in the mid-1980s. Greenland project manager Robin Abbott, Science planner Karla College, and Alaska staffers Marin Kuizenga and Matt Irinaga also are BFC alumni. Who else?

“I’m married to a former BFCer (1980-1985), does that count?”–Robbie Score, married to Rob Robbins

“”Yes, I too married a BFC person. Steve [Munsell] spent one year working there. He made the round table that everyone sits around and it is still there today. His year was in 1986.”–Kathy Young

“Fun days indeed!!”–Robin Abbott