Personal stories about Alaska too often are told by men. Not this time.

Here are stories written from women such as Molly Heath, stranded with her children far from home after the 1964 Earthquake, and Janet McCart, whose eyes are opened working on the trans-Alaska pipeline. One of the first women to work as a deckhand on a tender is seen through her daughter's eyes. Another struggles to fly. Yet another falls in love with fishing.

Sixteen women test their spirits against everything Alaska throws at them with laughter, tears, and courage. Journey's end finds them stronger and smarter than they thought they could be.