I’m beyond excited to introduce our NEW Cresting Wave – Touch the World Bracelet – which inspires and gives action to explore and protect the ocean. When I was designing this bracelet I was inspired by an amazing woman and her love of the ocean, Sylvia Earle.

Who is Sylvia Earle?

One of my absolute favorite people on earth is Dr. Sylvia Earle. No, we’ve never met (maybe someday), but she is my ultimate girl-crush. She is incredibly smart, fearless, strong, and undoubtedly one of the most authentic people I’ve ever learned about.  Sylvia was born in 1935 in New Jersey and then moved to Dunedin, Florida. She became deeply fascinated with nature and specifically the ocean which in turn led to her becoming a multi-faceted oceanographer, marine biologist, explorer, author, and lecturer. She was one of the first people to ever scuba dive and also the first female chief scientist of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

In 2014, she was featured in the gripping documentary Mission Blue. Which is how I initially found out about her and became a huge fan of her work. Now, Sylvia is the National Geographic Society Explorer in Residence and the founder of the Sylvia Earle Alliance/Mission Blue.  She has led more than 100 expeditions and logged more than 7,000 hours underwater. Never afraid to speak her mind, Sylvia has been called the “Sturgeon General” because of her fierce resolution to protect our oceans.

In 1970 Sylvia was chosen to lead the first all-female team of aquanauts in the Tektite II project. This was an installation off of the Virgin Islands that allowed scientists to live 50 feet below water, submersed in their area of study for up to several weeks at a time.  Amazing, right?  Even more amazing is that she was also a wife and mother at this time.

Into the Wild Blue

Sylvia has explored depths of the ocean that were thought impossible to ever reach. She was the first woman to reach the ocean floor at 1,250 feet down. I’m incredulous of this woman who was so dedicated and passionate about her work that she would leave her family for weeks at a time to journey around the world.  She made many bold choices throughout her life with absolutely no apologies. This is where her authenticity resonates so loudly to me.  Talk about the road less traveled – during a time when many women were playing more of a June Cleaver role, Sylvia was earning her Ph.D. while raising two children and entering her second marriage.  She was fearless, personally and professionally.  While she has admitted that life could be a bit tricky sometimes being a Mother, a Wife, and a passionate explorer, she simply says “that’s life, it’s life!”

10% of all sales from our Cresting Wave – Touch the World bracelet are donated to ocean exploration and protection. Shop to Support

 

There is no sadness or regret in her voice because she leads a life filled with truth and authenticity.  She’s following her destiny – researching, exploring, documenting, and advocating for our oceans.  These days you often hear of women who choose to follow their dreams and pursue careers fervently, but back in the ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s, it was somewhat taboo.  You can thank women like Dr. Sylvia Earle for paving the way and this is why 10% of all sales from our new – Touch the World bracelet will be donated to ocean exploration and preservation.

If you have a chance, make sure to watch this documentary. It’ll have you girl-crushing on Sylvia just like I do.

With love & sandy hands,

Holly