Last year’s BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award honoree Dr. Anne Kolker (C), NWSA board member and BoatUS’ Claire Wyngaard (L), and NWSA president Debby Grimm (R) (credit: Matthew Cohen)
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SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov. 15, 2023 – The National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) are seeking nominations for the 2024 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. Since 1999, the national award has sought to recognize an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing. Past recipients have included sailing instructors, writers, sailboat racers, and boating club leaders from a wide variety of professions.

Nominations are being accepted at the NWSA award website (WomenSailing.org/leadership-in-womens-sailing-award) through February 1, 2024, while questions may be directed to Leadership@WomenSailing.org. The 2024 recipient will be announced at the Annual National Women’s Sailing Association Conference Luncheon in New Orleans, June 8.

“We are proud to recognize the contributions our recipients have made to teaching and encouraging participation in the sport,” said NWSA president Debby Grimm.

Speaking to NWSA’s partnership with BoatUS, Grimm added, “We seek to introduce more women to sailing, a lifetime sport and healthy lifestyle to share and enjoy with other people. Sailing teaches leadership skills, science, geography, technology and math, which are fun for all ages to learn together. Both of our organizations help nurture the skills and sense of community to help sailors grow through their boating lives.”

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Know someone who has inspired, educated, and enriched the lives of women in sailing? BoatUS/NWSA seek nominations for 2024 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award.  https://bit.ly/3QGm9CK  @BoatUS @womensail #sailing

About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

Celebrating more than 55 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with nearly 800,000 dues-paying members. BoatUS is the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill, fighting for their rights. The TowBoatUS® fleet is available 24/7 to assist our members on the water when boats break down or run aground with some 600 vessels and 300-plus locations across North America, bringing our members safely back to the launch ramp, marina or dock. On the road, we are The Boat Owners Auto Club™, helping ensure roadside trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns won’t slow you down. BoatUS offers GEICO boat insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and the superior service they need. Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the largest circulation recreational marine publication in the U.S. with engaging content that speaks to the passion for boat ownership, while our 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers the nation’s only free online boating safety course and many other programs that keep boaters safe and our waters clean. Visit BoatUS.com.

About National Women’s Sailing Association:

Founded in 1990 by Hall of Fame sailor Doris Colgate, the National Women’s Sailing Association is a program of the Women’s Sailing Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in the U.S. Its mission is to provide education, programming and support for women sailors of all ages. The organization seeks to help women find community and mentorship among their peers, as well as create leadership and education opportunities. Through membership, donations and sponsorship, it continues to maintain AdventureSail®, a program designed for underserved girls, the Learn to Sail Youth Sailing Scholarship, the Sue Corl Sailing Scholarship and the NWSA/BoatUS Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. For more information visit womensailing.org.