Woman, Captain, Rebel Book Talk

Come join us to hear anthropologist and writer Margaret Willson talk about her book, Woman, Captain, Rebel: The Extraordinary True Story of a Daring Icelandic Sea Captain.

History would have you to believe that there were no female sea captains in the 19th century, but Captain Thurídur Einarsdóttir proves this not to be true. Beginning to go against the grain in her teens by wearing trousers, Einarsdóttir advocated for justice for all Icelanders. Known for her keen observational prowess, she became the most celebrated fishing captain of her time. She was even blackmailed into helping the oppressive authorities to solve one of Iceland’s most notorious robberies.

A fantastic and captivating nonfiction narrative of Iceland’s most famous female sea captain, Wilson’s prolific prose and meticulous research combines to create a book that engages readers in the narrative every step of the way.

About the Speaker
Anthropologist and writer, Margaret Willson has researched and worked in many countries including Iceland. Her eclectic nonacademic jobs have included abalone diving and being a deckhand on fishing boats off the south coast of Tasmania. She received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from the London School of Economics and is currently an Affiliate Associate Professor with the Departments of Anthropology and Scandinavian Studies at the University of Washington, and a Senior Associate Scientist at the Stafánsson Arctic Institute in Iceland. 
Her previous books include Seawomen of Iceland: Survival on the Edge (University of Washington Press 2016, Washington State Finalist Nonfiction Book of the Year 2017) and Dance Lest We All Fall Down: Breaking Cycles of Poverty in Brazil and Beyond (University of Washington Press 2010, Silver Medal in Multicultural Nonfiction, Independent Book Awards). She lives in Seattle with her partner.