In 1970, they became the first group of women to reach the top of the Alaskan mountain — but the odds were against them.

A special day at Polaris Career Center recently brought together 34 local seventh- and eighth-grade girls to offer them insight into possible future careers in the construction trades.

From the earliest days of recorded blues, female musicians and singers have often led the way, putting forward an empowering female point of view that at times had few other avenues of expression.