Thelma Rodgers

Thelma Ann Rodgers (; 1 December 1947 – 12 October 2021) was a New Zealand Antarctic science technician and architect. She was the first woman to spend a winter at Scott Base, New Zealand's scientific base in Antarctica.

Early life and education Rodgers was born in Swansea, and moved to New Zealand with her family as a child. Although she wanted to study physics and chemistry in college she was discouraged from doing so because she was a woman. However despite starting an arts degree at Canterbury University, she ultimately completed a physics degree.

In 1978, she applied to the Antarctic Division to operate the equipment at Scott Base herself over the winter, Just a decade earlier men believed the climate in Antarctica was too harsh for women.

Rodgers later re-trained as an architect. She died on 12 October 2021.