Daring Voyagers Ángeles Alvariño and Jeanne Barret, Braving the Oceans

In the realm of science and exploration, two women have left indelible marks that continue to inspire today. Ángeles Alvarino, a Spanish oceanographer specializing in zooplankton, and Jeanne Barret, the first woman to circumnavigate the Earth as a botanist, are the subjects of captivating new documentaries.

The audio documentary about Ángeles Alvarino, titled Ángeles Alvarino: A Marine Researcher of Worldwide Relevance, is scripted by Ana José Cancio and directed by Mayca Aguilera. The voice of Ángeles Alvarino in the documentary is provided by the Municipal Archive of A Coruña. Participants in the documentary include Ángeles Leira, daughter of the Galician oceanographer, and Alberto González-Garcés, marine biologist and author of the book Ángeles Alvarino.

Ángeles Alvarino was recognized for her excellence and legacy in the field of zooplankton. Her scientific talent was developed in the United States due to a lack of opportunities in Spain. She was the first female oceanographer to embark on sample collection on British research ships, and she discovered 22 species of plankton.

Meanwhile, Jeanne Barret's adventure is being recreated in a program. To enlist on a French naval ship as assistant to the king's botanist, Philibert Commerson, Jeanne Barret disguised herself as a man. Despite the dangerous journey, her findings were fascinating, including the collection of unknown species of plants, such as the bougainvillea.

The novelized biography of Jeanne Barret in the documentary is titled Without the King's Permission. Christel Mouchard, an expert in women explorers, is also a participant in the documentary.

The documentary can be listened to Sundays at 4 pm on Radio 5 and on the RNE Audio app. Starting midnight on Sunday to Monday, it will also be broadcast on Radio Nacional and Radio 5.

These documentaries serve as a testament to the groundbreaking work of these two remarkable women and their enduring impact on the fields of oceanography and botany. They remind us of the importance of perseverance, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge in the face of adversity.