(1908, Vladivostok -1999, Vladivostok)
Captain of transoceanic ships
Anna’s great passion for the sea convinced her to apply to the Maritime College in Vladivostok. Despite strong competition (200 people for 40 available places) she passed the selection. To support herself she worked nights as a nurse, cleaner and even helped unload barges with other boys. Her tenacity was rewarded with her degree in 1929. Anna began her career as a simple sailor, later becoming senior assistant to the commander and at 27 years old, thanks to her skill, she managed to become the first female commander in the world. In an interview she said “From journalists I learned that I am the first female commander, I must say that it was all very unusual for me, in 10 years of maritime career, no one had ever asked too many questions about my work… On the one hand , I must admit that this pleased my self-esteem, but on the other hand the questions from the press annoyed me.” In the winter of 1936 her ship became stuck in the ice and she drifted for 11 days, her food and water supplies depleted. Thanks to her expertise and experience, she managed to save the steamer and crew. For this she was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labor.
