Posted by Elizabeth Simenstad
Greetings friends,
What a year it has been. I wish to apologize for our/my long absence from the internet airwaves and pledge to forge ahead into a much brighter future. We have so much to offer and we will be working hard in 2023 to stay true to our mission of promoting the recruitment and retention of women in the maritime industry through our programs.
Here in the United States where we are based, Thanksgiving Day is tomorrow and everyone is gearing up for another holiday season. Wherever you may be headed, I hope you are happy and healthy.
We give thanks this year for our amazing community, for the allies who support us, for the sea sisters who share their seagoing journeys with the world, who consistently cheer each other on and celebrate each other's achievements. I am thankful for the ongoing financial support of our donors and sustainers; keeping the lights on in our nonprofit is not free of cost, and without you, we would not exist. Thank you.
Elizabeth
Captain Jill Russell, current SEAPA Pilot, and Captain Claire Lewis, pilot trainee
SEAPA is holding an Entrance Exam!
Save the date: if you are interested in becoming a Southeast Alaska Pilot, SEAPA is holding their next exam on April 22-28, 2023. All information, including requirements, test prep bibliography, and application materials can be found here.
New merch in the shop!
Need some fun stocking stuffers this Christmas? We have tons of great merch including several new items in our online shop!
Giving Tuesday is next week!
We owe our success to your generosity. 2022 has been another tough year for some of us, but we look forward to having a positive impact on our community in the coming year with your support. Consider a tax-deductible donation to Sea Sisters this year.
Puget Sound Pilots Announce New Maternity Leave Policy
"I think being a mother, having a child while sailing, is near impossible but super-hard as a pilot and this policy makes it easier to balance motherhood with achieving your career goals” - Capt. Sandy Bendixen, Puget Sound Pilot
“It’s about time. I’m really impressed with PSP stepping up. I hope all other pilot associations, companies, and unions will follow suit.” - Capt. Deb Dempsey, retired Columbia River Bar Pilot
We applaud the Puget Sound Pilots on their groundbreaking new maternity leave policy! CLICK HERE to read more about the efforts to bring this policy to the table and about PSP’s commitment to increasing diversity among their ranks.
Upcoming Events
Women In Maritime Leadership Conference | California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA
Save the date! This conference at CMA is always an enjoyable and enriching event, year after year. From the conference webpage:
"Now approaching its twelfth year, Cal Maritime's Women in Maritime Leadership Conference supports the success of women in maritime. The 2023 conference will deliver an equity focused leadership development curriculum specific to the goals of cadets and professional women in the maritime industry."
For more information, go to csum.edu