She Tells Sea Tales | Northwest Maritime

A sea story event told by women mariners in support of Northwest Maritime and our female-centered maritime education programs.

Saturday, March 7, 2026 | 6 PM

Real-life Sea Stories to Elevate Women’s Voices

Experience an evening of real sea stories, told by the women mariners who have lived them, in this beloved sell-out event that connects women from across many waters. Hilarious and heartbreaking, raw and brutally honest, She Tells Sea Tales offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of women in the maritime industry.

This live storytelling event provides a welcoming and safe space for all women to share their connections to water. People of any gender identity are invited to attend! Proceeds help support the Northwest Maritime’s women- and girls-centered educational maritime programs, including the Girls’ Boat Project. We are a place for diverse people from all walks of life to connect with powerful experiences with the sea.

Seating is first-come, first-served and tickets sell out quickly, so get them while they last!

Art by: Eden Murray

Shop She Tells Sea Tales

“She Tells Sea Tales celebrates the successes and tribulations of working and traveling on the water. It celebrates the joys and frustrations of being a minority in a male-dominated endeavor.”

– KELLEY WATSON

Linda Newland

Linda Newland is a sailing powerhouse. She holds the record for the fastest solo woman’s crossing from San Francisco to Japan—52 days, using only celestial navigation and hand steering. With multiple Transpac and Pacific Cup races under her belt—many with all-women crews—Linda also holds a 100-ton Merchant Marine license, has led national sailing organizations, and was honored with the Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award in 2022.

Kellie Henwood

Kellie Henwood is a lifelong Pacific Northwest resident and champion of local agriculture and food systems. Her journey into the commercial fishing industry started at 17 years old, working in canneries in Southeast Alaska, eventually deckhanding on salmon, halibut, and albacore tuna trollers out of Port Townsend—including the Duna and the Karolee.

Emilia Ramsey

Emilia Ramsey grew up in Port Townsend and first stepped into the maritime world through the Girls’ Boat Project at Northwest Maritime during middle school. Drawn in by the sense of community and shared purpose in a learning environment that felt full of possibility, she went on to immerse herself in maritime studies through programs like Team Longboat, Deep Green Wilderness, and Voyagers. Over the years, her connection to the sea and to wooden boats has shaped her path in ways she couldn’t have predicted. Just as she graduated from OCEAN K-12 School, a wooden boat entered her life, and the year that followed became a turning point for her. Now 21, Emilia is a recent graduate of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding and works as a paraeducator at the Port Townsend Maritime Academy.

Vikki Fennell

Vikki Fennell began sailing at age nine on San Francisco Bay in a junior program much like the one at Northwest Maritime. She spent summers at the San Francisco Yacht Club, sailed on her high school team, became a sailing instructor, and raced keelboats most weekends. Her love of sailing led Vikki, her husband, their two young kids, and one geriatric cat to cruise full-time for three years from San Francisco to Panama and back. After cruising, she returned to racing and in 2025 raced more than 50 days in Fleet, Match, and Team Race Regattas regionally and nationally. Passionate about sharing the stoke of sailing—especially with underrepresented communities—Vikki volunteers widely, captains the Northwest Maivens, founded multiple women’s and community sailing events, and considers Port Townsend her heart home.

EmmyLou Reijnen

My name is EmmyLou, I am 9 years old, and I have been on the water since I was 3 months old. I have sailed on many different boats and participated in many sailboat races, such as Foul Weather Bluff, Fal Joslin, WA360 (editions 1 and 2), and a lot of beer can races, but I love to sail for fun as well. My family and I go cruising to the San Juan Islands and Marrowstone Island every year. This past summer, I sailed in my second WA360 (which did not end well). I also took part in my first dinghy regattas this summer. No matter where I am or which boat I am on, I really like to be on the water. I really hope my speech speaks to you.

Sarah Scherer

Sarah Scherer began her career in 1989 as a Cadet at Texas Maritime Academy. She worked on various vessels (supply boats, tugs, landing crafts, high-speed catamarans, seismic, hydrographic, and fisheries research vessels) across the Gulf of Mexico to the South Pacific and the Bering Sea. Her land experience includes providing scientific support for marine oil spills, health and safety in maritime operations, designing adult learning programs, and serving as Dean of the Seattle Maritime Academy. She is the General Manager, PNW of the Maritime Institute. Sarah advocates for diversity in maritime careers. She is involved with several boards, including the Seattle Propeller Club, WISTA PNW, Northwest Maritime, Seattle Jobs Initiative, and Net Your Problem.

Photos by Heather J.

Celebrating and Supporting Women and Girls

Your gift to Northwest Maritime supports programs that provide opportunities for women and girls to gain maritime skills through the lessons of the sea. Your support helps them challenge themselves to discover their most authentic selves and break free of the gendered expectations that they face.

About the Girls’ Boat Project

The Girls’ Boat Project is a program for middle school girls that creates an inclusive, supportive space for young women to work together and gain confidence through learning skills in boat building, woodworking, and sailing. The program is led and taught by an all-female staff of educators and professional mariners.

The Project meets every Wednesday afternoon from 1:30-4:30 throughout the school year and culminates with an journey on Port Townsend Bay in the spring. (Note: Girls’ Boat Project will be on hiatus for the spring 2026 semester.)

Women and girls’ programs at Northwest Maritime Center welcome those who identify as women and girls regardless of assignment at birth. These programs also welcome people who identify as non-binary or gender nonconforming and want to be in a women-centered environment. Read our blog to learn more about the Girls’ Boat Project.