Support our women-forward initiative!

All gifts made now through #GivingTuesday on December 3, 2019 qualify for a 1:1 match up to $17,000. Double your gift and help us bridge the gap and increase the number of women and girls in sailing and maritime programs and professions. Gifts of all sizes are appreciated and will make a difference. Please join us!

Our Passion: Engaging Girls and Women in Maritime Activities

The Northwest Maritime Center has a history of empowering girls and women through lessons of the sea. We are committed to providing opportunities for girls and women to gain maritime skills. More than that, we are committed to providing opportunities for girls and women to challenge themselves to discover their most authentic selves and break free of the gendered expectations that they face.

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Facts that Drive Our Passion:

Washington State ranks 35th in terms of the gender pay gap: This means women working full time in our state are paid on average 78 cents for every dollar paid to men. (Nationwide, this figure is 80 cents for every dollar; in California and Washington, DC, 89 cents; and in Louisiana, 69 cents.)

According to research, “Early in boys’ and girls’ educational experiences, there are gendered expectations regarding what girls and boys are ‘good’ at or ‘should’ be focusing on. These different expectations, as well as external pressure to conform to stereotypes about gender roles, follow women and men into classes, extracurricular activities, college majors, and career directions.”

According to the International Maritime Organization, women represent only 2% of the world’s 1.2 million seafarers. In Washington State, a mere 3% of sailors are women, and only 2.5% of maritime careers are held by women.

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 female-centered environment.

What does it mean to Give Like a Girl?

To “give like a girl” denotes strength, resilience, courage, and a spirit of adventure. One does not need to be a girl to give like a girl. In fact, many men donate to Give Like A Girl.

Your Donation Changes the Equation

Gifts to Give Like a Girl provide funding for sailing and other maritime-related education programs offered by the Northwest Maritime Center. In priority order, our current areas of funding focus include:

  • Sailing classes for women and girls
  • Girls’ Boat Project, a year-long woodworking, sailing, and maritime trades class for middle school girls
  • Race Like a Girl (skipper training classes)
  • Sailing and maritime-related education classes for all
Give Today

Have check, will give.

Mail your check to the address at the bottom of this page. We embrace technology, but also appreciate traditions like receiving letters in the post!

Questions?

We’d love to help make giving easy for you. Contact the Development department at development@nwmaritime.org.