Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

2021 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award

by Scott Croft 7 Jul 2021 08:44 PDT
Marie Rogers, 2021 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award honoree © Scott Croft

Race has been at the top of many minds this year, which has led to some uncomfortable conversations, self-examination, and commitments for change. For Marie Rogers, a captain, instructor, avid West Coast sailboat racer and the first Black woman to serve as commodore of the historic Los Angeles Yacht Club (LAYC), it's always been about inclusion and sharing her "happy place" - at the helm of a sailboat. Rogers is this year's Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS)/National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) Leadership in Women's Sailing Award honoree.

The BoatUS/NWSA Award recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing. Roger's nomination cited her "helping sailors move away from the idea that sailing is a white man's sport," embracing the hard work that must be done for inclusion, and her belief that "sailing is an amazing metaphor of how to get along." She understands that sharing sailing - with everyone - is healthy for the sport.

Rogers did not grow up sailing regularly but had learned the basics. When her son, Colin, befriended several Los Angeles Yacht members and was soon crewing on a 70-foot sled for a member who ran the club's junior program, word spread that the young man's mom could sail. She was soon invited aboard and offered the wheel. That man with the 70-foot racing sailboat later became Roger's husband.

Rogers soon wanted to be a sailor in her own right. Not content at being what some referred to as "a yacht club wife," she attended sailing school; earned her U.S. Coast Guard captain's license; studied weather, navigation and diesel mechanics; and bought her own Cal 25, which became the platform for the club's community sailing program. She took groups of women on adventures to Catalina Island, raced a Trans Pac, and served on LAYC's board, eventually becoming commodore in 2019 - a very rare event for a Black woman in America and the only one the West Coast to helm a major yacht club.

What also stood out to award judges is that Rogers had no youth or college sailboat racing experience and learned largely as an adult, eventually becoming an instructor. Her eagerness to share her passion for sailing was apparent to the award judges, as was her generosity and dedication to inclusiveness. For Rogers, leading a major yacht club was not a "job," but rather a calling and something she felt she needed to do in service to the sport. Today, Rogers coastal races aboard Marie, a Nelson Marek 55, with her husband, Bill, and races closer to home on her J-29, Rush Street.

Rogers will receive the award at the upcoming National Women's Sailing Conference to be held online and in person, September 11, at Jackson Park Yacht Club in Chicago. For more information go to nwsa.quvent.com.

Related Articles

Jerelyn Biehl honored for leadership
With 2024 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award The youngest of three children, Jerelyn Biehl was born into a sailing family. She learned sailing from her parents and as a teenager absorbed all things boating at her father's marine store. Posted on 13 Jun
NWSA to host 2024 Conference
Ticket sales open March 16 The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) comes to the Crescent City with the 2024 National Women's Sailing Association Conference on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southern Yacht Club with help from Community Sailing New Orleans. Posted on 15 Mar
Dr. Anne Kolker honored with Women's Sailing Award
By the Boat Owners Association of The United States and the National Women's Sailing Association Dr. Anne Kolker grew up sailing, first as a youngster, then through college, medical school and into marriage. However, when her husband died in 2008, she realized that she needed to learn more about sailing and grow her confidence behind the wheel. Posted on 6 Jun 2023
What's the Best 'Ship' in the Country?
Sea Scout Ship Viking of San Francisco honored with 2023-24 BoatUS National Flagship Award Sea Scout Ship Viking (Ship100) has been has named the 2023-2024 BoatUS National Flagship – a recognition as the best “ship” (Sea Scout group) in the country. Posted on 13 May 2023
West Coast's Sailing Convention for Women returns
BoatUS has sponsored the event for nearly three decades After a Covid hiatus the Sailing Convention for Women is back with full sails and expanded learning opportunities and slated for Saturday, April 1, 2023. Posted on 8 Dec 2022
Linda Newland urges women to 'Capture the Power'
BoatUS/NWSA Award Honoree Nearly four decades ago, Linda Newland, a greenhorn sailor, found herself alone on a sailboat with a sorry lack of nautical know-how. She became determined not to have the humbling event define her sailing. Posted on 9 Jun 2022
NWSA to roll out red carpet for women sailors
'Sharing Sailing!' Conference to be held at Houston Yacht Club The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) Conference comes to Houston Yacht Club, May 20-21, offering a day of fun, camaraderie and exceptional learning experiences for women sailors of all ages. Posted on 20 Mar 2022
NWSA Conference comes to Chicago's Jackson Park YC
“Sharing Sailing,” spotlights issue that sailors represent a small fraction of sailors nationwide Women sailors from all over the country will be heading to Jackson Park Yacht Club on Saturday, September 11 for the 20th annual Women's Sailing Conference. Posted on 27 Jul 2021
Ligado L-Band Wireless Plan concerns
Wireless network threatens to interfere with nation's GPS system A coalition of groups whose users rely on the GPS wants the FCC to change its mind about an April 20 decision to permit Ligado Networks to begin construction of a land-based industrial 5G (fifth generation) "L-Band" wireless network. Posted on 29 Oct 2020
Labor day boating safety tips
An increase in number of boaters on the water this three-day Labor Day holiday period For the nation's 12 million boat owners, Labor Day weekend is the last blast, with many enjoying the end-of-summer boating ritual with family and friends aboard, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). Posted on 2 Sep 2020
Allen Dynamic 40 FooterTrinidad and Tobago - Sail Service StayRooster Women's Wetsuit Range