Women and Sailing on SF Bay! Girl Power!
“Women belong in all places where decisions are being made. It shouldn’t be that women are the exception.” ― Ruth Bader Ginsburg
For centuries, with very few exceptions, the maritime world was dominated by men. In recent decades, particularly in the SF Bay Area, the patriarchal nature of this world began to change. As we celebrate Women's history this month of March, consider the extraordinary life of Marin County resident Louise Arner Boyd (1887-1972), who beginning in the 1920s led several significant North Sea and Arctic scientific expeditions.
Did you know that Bay Lights Charters is 2/3 owned by women? Joyce Dostale and Allie Hawkins oven 66% of the corporation. We also strive to hire woman sailors as often as possible!
While women have been an integral part of sailing for centuries, but for much of that time, they were relegated to supporting roles, with few opportunities to take the helm themselves. However, in recent decades, women have made great strides in the sailing world, breaking down barriers and proving that they have what it takes to excel in this challenging and exhilarating sport.
One of the earliest women to make a name for herself in sailing was Ellen MacArthur, a British sailor who rose to prominence in the late 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, she set the record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe, completing the journey in just 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds. Her accomplishment inspired a generation of women sailors and helped to raise the profile of women in the sport.
Another woman who has made waves in sailing is Dee Caffari, a British sailor who has completed six circumnavigations of the globe, becoming the first woman to sail solo and non-stop around the world in both directions. She has also broken a number of records and received numerous accolades for her achievements.
In the United States, one of the most prominent women in sailing is Sally Barkow, a professional sailor who has competed in numerous international competitions and won several world championships. She has also served as a commentator for sailing events and worked to promote the sport among women and girls.
Other notable women in sailing include Tracy Edwards, who skippered the first all-female crew to sail around the world in the 1989-90 Whitbread Round the World Race, and Abby Sunderland, who became the youngest person to attempt a solo circumnavigation of the globe in 2010 at the age of just 16.
The Socialite and the Sea Captain: Louise Arner Boyd and Captain Bob Bartlett at Sea 1941. A second was written by Joanna Kafarowski: The Polar Adventures of a Rich American Dame: A Life of Louise Arner Boyd.
Consider also the lives of thousands of women who flocked to the Bay Area during WWII to work in the shipyards. At the beginning of 1940, there were only 36 female shipyard production workers in the entire country. By 1943, there were 160,000. Right here in Sausalito, more than 4,000 women were employed at Marinship by the end of 1943, nearly one-fourth of the workforce. There were 1,201 female welders, 40% of all welders in the yard. An equally dramatic change was the entrance of black workers. Marinship at War: Shipbuilding and Social Change in Wartime Sausalitoby Charles Wollenberg.
During the 1950s and 1960s, however, the gates to the shipyards and other maritime trades were again mostly closed to women. It was not until the 1970s that exceptional women were able to reopen some gates, and chart a course for following generations of women to take vital positions in the maritime industry. One such pioneering woman is Nancy Wagner, one of the first women admitted in 1974 to the Kings Point US Maritime Academy and the first female ship pilot in the United States, guiding ships entering and leaving our challenging San Francisco Bay. Her story, and the stories of other pioneering women mariners, appears in a SF Maritime Park article on Women in Maritime History.
Despite the progress that has been made, women still face challenges in the sailing world, particularly when it comes to equal representation and opportunities. Many events and competitions are still male-dominated, and women may struggle to secure sponsorship and funding for their sailing endeavors. However, organizations such as the Women's International Match Racing Association and the National Women's Sailing Association are working to promote women's sailing and provide resources and support for female sailors.
In addition to the women who have made their mark in competitive sailing, there are countless women who enjoy sailing as a hobby or a means of adventure and exploration. Many women's sailing clubs and organizations have been formed to provide opportunities for women to connect and sail together, and more and more women are taking up sailing as a way to challenge themselves and experience the beauty and thrill of the open sea.
Overall, women have made significant contributions to the sailing world and continue to break down barriers and push the boundaries of what is possible. Whether competing at the highest levels or simply enjoying a leisurely sail with friends and family, women sailors have proven that they have the skill, determination, and passion to succeed in this dynamic and exciting sport.
What about San Francisco Local woman? Who are the most notable?
There are several women from San Francisco who are famous sailors. Here are a few:
Lynn Edwards - Lynn Edwards is a well-known sailor from San Francisco who has competed in numerous offshore sailing races and regattas. She was also the first American woman to compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race.
Kimball Livingston - Kimball Livingston is a sailor, author, and journalist from San Francisco. She has written extensively about sailing and has covered numerous America's Cup races. She is also a member of the National Sailing Hall of Fame.
Dawn Riley - Dawn Riley is a sailor and the first woman to manage an America's Cup sailing team. She has competed in numerous sailing races and regattas, including the Whitbread Round the World Race.
Sally Lindsay Honey - Sally Lindsay Honey is a sailor, yachtswoman, and author from San Francisco. She has sailed in numerous offshore sailing races and regattas, including the Volvo Ocean Race.
Deborah Scaling Kiley - Deborah Scaling Kiley is a sailor, author, and speaker from San Francisco. She survived a shipwreck in the Pacific Ocean and has since become an advocate for safety at sea.
These women have made significant contributions to the sailing world and have helped to pave the way for other female sailors.
Click here to see the 17 most famous women sailors
Here are some popular books that feature women sailors:
"Maiden Voyage" by Tania Aebi: This is a memoir about a young woman who sets out to sail around the world alone, becoming the first American woman and the youngest person to do so.
"Dove" by Robin Lee Graham: This is another memoir about a young man who sails around the world with his wife and children, including his daughter, who becomes the youngest person to sail around the world alone.
"The Voyage of the Rose City" by John Moynihan: This is a non-fiction book about a group of women who set out to sail across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first all-woman crew to do so.
"Sea Change" by S.M. Wheeler: This is a fantasy novel about a young woman who sets out to sea with her friend, a mermaid, to find her missing father.
"The Shipping News" by E. Annie Proulx: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel features a female character, Petal Bear, who is a sailor and is integral to the story's plot.
"The Sea Lady" by Margaret Drabble: This novel follows the life of a woman who grows up on a sailboat and becomes a sailor herself.
"A Caribbean Mystery" by Agatha Christie: This mystery novel features a female character, Miss Marple, who takes a cruise and becomes embroiled in a murder investigation.
"The Caine Mutiny" by Herman Wouk: This classic novel features a female character, May Wynn, who is a sailor and becomes romantically involved with one of the male sailors on the ship.
"The Island of the Blue Dolphins" by Scott O'Dell: This children's book is based on the true story of a Native American woman, Juana Maria, who was left alone on an island and became a skilled sailor in order to survive.
"The Terror" by Dan Simmons: This historical fiction novel features a female character, Lady Silence, who is an Inuit woman and skilled sailor, and helps a group of explorers navigate the treacherous Arctic waters.
Ellen MacArthur is a famous woman sailor who achieved numerous accomplishments in the sailing world. She was born in Derbyshire, England in 1976 and grew up in landlocked surroundings. However, Ellen was always fascinated with the sea, and at the age of four, she sailed with her aunt and uncle on their boat in the Irish Sea.
As a teenager, Ellen began sailing competitively, and by the age of 18, she had won the national championships in the UK. She continued to sail competitively, winning numerous regattas and races. However, her greatest achievement came in 2005 when she set a new world record for sailing solo around the world.
Ellen set out on her journey on November 28, 2004, from the French port of Falmouth. She was sailing a 75-foot trimaran named B&Q/Castorama, which was specially designed for her record-breaking attempt. Ellen sailed solo, without any assistance, and had to face numerous challenges during her journey.
One of the biggest challenges Ellen faced was the weather. She had to navigate through rough seas and strong winds, and at times, the boat was nearly capsized. She also had to deal with equipment failures, such as a broken boom and a damaged mainsail. Despite these setbacks, Ellen persevered, and after 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, and 33 seconds, she crossed the finish line in Falmouth, breaking the previous world record by more than a day.
Ellen's achievement made her a national hero in the UK, and she received numerous accolades for her accomplishment. She was awarded the title of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II, and in 2006, she was named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world.
Ellen's record-breaking journey was not just about sailing, it was also about raising awareness of the environment. During her journey, she witnessed first-hand the impact of climate change on the oceans, and she became a vocal advocate for sustainability. Ellen founded the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which works to promote the circular economy and reduce waste.
Ellen's story is an inspiring one, and it shows the power of determination and perseverance. She was able to achieve something that many thought was impossible, and she did it with grace and humility. Ellen continues to inspire others, both in the sailing world and beyond, and her legacy is one that will endure for generations to come.