Tori Murden McClure

Tori Murden McClure is recognized for her achievements in adventure, exploration, and endurance sports. McClure became the first woman and first American to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean, completing a 3,000-mile journey in her hand-built 23-foot plywood rowboat, American Pearl. Her successful crossing followed a previous attempt in which she rowed more than 3,000 miles before encountering a hurricane. McClure ultimately completed her journey by landing on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe.

Beyond transatlantic rowing, McClure has achieved significant milestones in mountain climbing and polar exploration. She was the first woman and first American to reach the summit of Antarctica's Lewis Nunatak and to ski to the geographic South Pole. As part of a nine-member team, she skied 750 miles in 50 days to the South Pole. McClure also trained with the U.S. Olympic rowing team but withdrew from the final qualifying heat due to injury.

McClure holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Smith College, a Master of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, a Juris Doctor from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, and a Master of Fine Arts in Writing from Spalding University. Her professional experience includes roles as a chaplain at Boston City Hospital, director of a Louisville women's shelter, policy assistant to the Mayor of Louisville, and the first full-time employee of the Muhammad Ali Center. McClure served as president of Spalding University, where she oversaw significant campus expansion during her tenure.

McClure is the author of the memoir "A Pearl in the Storm: How I Found My Heart in the Middle of the Ocean," published by HarperCollins, which recounts her Atlantic crossing and personal journey. Her story has been featured on national television programs including "Good Morning America," "The Today Show," "The Oprah Winfrey Show," and "Late Night with David Letterman." Coverage of her achievements has appeared in numerous books and major magazines. McClure received the Peter Bird Trophy and was recognized by L'Académie des Sports in Paris for her sporting accomplishments. The French documentary "Beyond Limits – Tori Murden" received the Best Foreign Adventure Film prize at the Moscow International Festival of Mountaineering and Adventure Films. McClure frequently addresses topics such as resilience, leadership, and human endurance in her public speaking engagements.