American Mountaineer and NY Times Best-selling Author Alison Levine Receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Past medalists include seven U.S. Presidents, three world leaders, several Nobel Prize winners and countless leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Alison Levine, history-making adventurer and leadership advisor, was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor by the Ellis Island Honors Society. The Medal, which was awarded to Levine on May 11th, recognizes individuals who have made it their mission to share with those less fortunate their wealth of knowledge, indomitable courage, boundless compassion, and selfless generosity. Past medalists include seven U.S. Presidents, three world leaders, several Nobel Prize winners and countless leaders of industry, education, the arts, sports and government.
Levine is one of an elite group of extreme athletes to have accomplished the Adventure Grand Slam, which is to climb the highest peak on each of the seven continents and to ski to both the North and South Poles. She currently serves on the faculty of the Thayer Leader Development Group at West Point, one of the nation's premiere leadership training programs. She is the author of the New York Times bestseller On the Edge: Leadership Lessons from Mt. Everest and Other Extreme Environments and is one of the country's most in-demand keynote speakers.
"I'm beyond humbled to be included with all of these other amazing honorees," said Levine. "It means so much to receive such an incredible award and it's one that I will hold proudly. I am very grateful and thankful to the EIHS and vow to do all I can to continue to inspire others to achieve more than they ever thought possible."
The Ellis Island Medals of Honor are presented annually to a select group of individuals whose accomplishments in their field and inspired service to our nation are cause for celebration. The Medal is recognized by both Houses of Congress as one of the country's most prestigious awards and is annually memorialized in the Congressional Record.
In addition to her outdoor adventures, Levine also has extensive experience in corporate America, holds an MBA from Duke University and served on the board of the Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics.
Along with Levine, others receiving the Ellis Island Medal of Honor this year include Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Congressman Adam Schiff, Coca-Cola Chairman Muhtar Kent, IBM CEO Ginni Rometty and former Google CEO/Chairman Eric Schmidt.
About Alison Levine:
Alison Levine served as team captain of the first American Women's Everest Expedition, climbed the highest peak on each continent and skied to both the North and South Poles—a feat known as the Adventure Grand Slam, which only a few dozen people in the world have achieved. In January 2008, she made history as the first American to complete a 600-mile traverse across west Antarctica to the South Pole following the route of legendary explorer Reinhold Messner. Levine completed this arduous journey on skis while hauling 150 pounds of her gear and supplies in a sled harnessed to her waist. She made history again in 2016 when she completed two first ascents: Hall Peak in Antarctica and Khang Karpo in Nepal. Her success in extreme environments is noteworthy given she has had three heart surgeries and suffers from Raynaud's disease, which causes the arteries that feed her fingers and toes to collapse in cold weather—leaving her at extreme risk for frostbite. She spent four years as an adjunct professor at the United Sates Military Academy at West Point and currently serves on the faculty of the Thayer Leader Development Group.
SOURCE Alison Levine
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