Women power four of five parks
March is Women’s History Month, but Lake Superior’s national parks are making history every day.
Four of our five park superintendents are women, a proportion far larger than the National Park Service as a whole.
Pictured above from top left to bottom right are:
Wyndeth Davis – Keweenaw National Historical Park Superintendent since 2016
Lynne Dominy – Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Superintendent since 2019
Denice Swanke - Isle Royale National Park Superintendent since 2020.
Heather Boyd – Grand Portage National Monument Superintendent since 2022
The National Park Service was created in 1916 but did not have a woman superintendent until 1940 when Gertrude Cooper became superintendent at the Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site in New York. Of the 19 Directors of the National Park Service, two have been women. Check out the National Park Service’s collection of stories about women for more information on the role of women in NPS.
NPLSF is thrilled to have these experienced, talented women leading our parks—thank you for your great work!
About the NPLSF The National Parks of Lake Superior Foundation (NPLSF) exists to provide financial support for projects and programs that preserve the natural resources and cultural heritage of the five Lake Superior national parks. Funded through grants and private donations, NPLSF projects and programs ensure that these great parks and historic sites are maintained for the enjoyment of all current and future visitors.