Pioneers of Alaska

[1][2] Originally restricted to white males who entered Alaska before 1900,[1] the organization today has about 5000 members,[citation needed] who must be residents of Alaska for at least 20 years to be eligible to join.

[1] Once led by men, women became eligible for all leadership positions in 2012.

[3] Founded in Nome, Alaska, the organization works at "gathering and preserving the relics and early history of Alaska",[4] and at improving its economic and social conditions.

[3] The organization has 35 local chapters, which are called "igloos".

[6][7] Noel Wien was made an honorary member of the northernmost chapter, Igloo No.