The previous year’s BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award honoree Jerelyn Biehl (R); and NWSA Board Member Debbie Huntsman (L).
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SPRINGFIELD, Va., Nov. 12, 2024 – The National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) have opened nominations for the 2025 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 cruisers, marine industry professionals 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, 2025, while questions may be directed to Leadership@WomenSailing.org. The 2025 recipient will be announced at the Annual National Women’s Sailing Association Conference Luncheon in St. Petersburg, Florida on June 7, 2025.

Said NWSA President Debby Grimm, “We are proud to recognize the contributions women have made to the sailing community and encouraging women’s participation in the sport.”

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 with others. Sailing teaches leadership skills, STEM skills, teambuilding and promotes enjoyment of nature and the responsibility. Both of our organizations help nurture the skills and sense of community to help sailors grow through their boating lives.”

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Boat Owners Association of The United States/National Women’s Sailing Association seek “Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award” nominations https://bit.ly/3UK1dO0 @BoatUS @womensail #sailing #womensailing #womensailingteam #boatclub #yachtclub

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 more than 725,000 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) non-profit organization based in the U.S. It maintains the mission of providing 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, they continue to maintain AdventureSail®, a program designed for girls who wouldn’t otherwise have an opportunity to discover the joys of sailing, 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.