
A virtual evening of sea stories in support of women-forward programming
Hilarious and heartbreaking, raw and brutally honest—She Tells Sea Tales offers an intimate glimpse into the lives of women in the maritime industry. 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 all waters. She Tells Sea Tales will be held virtually in 2022. One ticket, one device—for you and everyone joining you at home.
An exciting first in the history of She Tells Sea Tales...
Two generous donors have stepped up with a matching gift challenge. Every gift to She Tells Sea Tales made through March 14, 2022 will be matched 1:1 up to $10,000! This has never happened before, and is a testament to how powerful and inspiring this event is. Help us meet this incredible challenge: Make a gift when you purchase your ticket, or give online right now by clicking on the button below. Your ticket purchase and tax-deductible donation helps support women-forward programming at the Northwest Maritime Center, including the Girls’ Boat Project, through our Give Like a Girl fund. Thank you!
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Ebony Welborn
Ebony grew up on the farmlands of South Carolina where she played in the creek with her brother, catching frogs and dragonflies. It was moments like those that shaped her aspiration to be a marine biologist. She became committed to the dream as a middle schooler and always kept it in the front of her mind. Majoring in environmental studies instead of focusing on the academic path into marine biology, she concentrated on experience-based learning in marine science. Ebony has since acquired her Advanced Open Water Certification, worked in environmental education and wildlife rehabilitation in the southern most parts of Florida, spent time as a guide in a marine science summer camp, and has continued to take opportunities based around water.
As a co-founder of Sea Potential, she aims to carve a path for more BIPOC to have a reciprocal relationship with water. Ebony is passionate about facilitating joyous moments in nature for all, working with youth, and creating new opportunities.
Ginny Wilson
After earning her BA in environmental outdoor education from Western Washington University, Ginny Wilson enjoyed an eclectic array of mini-careers: retail manager, non-profit administrator, teacher, commercial fisher, and bicycle tour guide throughout the west. In 2018, she graduated from the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding (NWSWB) in Port Hadlock and has been pursuing her passion for boats ever since. Before striking out on her own as an independent shipwright and custom woodworker, her journeys included going to Tasmania to build a boat for the Australian Wooden Boat Festival, teaching woodworking classes at the middle school, helping finish a Poulsbo boat at NWSWB. She then spent the better part of 2 years working as a shipwright at the Port Townsend Shipwrights Co-op before striking out on her own as a shipwright and custom woodworker, starting Thorn Boatworks.
Ginny loves self-supported bicycle trips, camping, snowboarding, skateboarding, cooking, singing, dancing, running, and being outside with her pup, Tuff. Most importantly, she loves to make people laugh!
Lara Edgeland
Lara Edgeland is an artist, scientist, and tall ship sailor. Growing up on the shores of the Salish Sea, Lara spent much of her early adulthood chasing adventures on the water. She sailed on various tall ships, from California to Maine, before an injury forced her ashore. During her long recovery, she shifted her focus to creative work and education which set her on a course to new adventures, including teaching woodworking and sailing to middle-school girls in the Girls’ Boat Project, earning a second Master’s of Science degree from Western Washington University, and authoring a nautical ABCs children’s book.
Meegan Corcoran
Meegan’s maritime career began in 2002 when she joined the US Navy. She served for 8 years before leaving to pursue her dream of being a marine biologist. Her dream first came to fruition when she started working at Friday Harbor Labs as their Manager of Marine Operations, overseeing their research vessel and vessel-based science. From there, Meegan was promoted to Port Captain for the University of Washington where she now manages the global research vessel Thomas G Thompson as well as the R/V Rachel Carson. Her current position has allowed her to travel to 13 countries (so far!) and collect more than a few hair-raising experiences.
Savannah Smith
Savannah grew up in Renton, WA, in an animal-loving home. From an early age, she was exposed to a variety of animals—from hermit crabs to peacocks—learning early on that each animal has a unique soul and relationship with the world. Ever since picking up her first book about dolphins in the second grade, her curiosity ran wild about the creatures of the ocean. And while pursuing her degree in marine biology, Savannah quickly realized the importance of representation and the value of community. As a co-founder of Sea Potential, she unites her passions for marine biology and inclusion to foster curiosity, illuminate opportunity, and engage the heart. Her work aims to highlight BIPOC perspectives and cultural resilience, while simultaneously offering tools for healing.
Susan Brittain
Susan has lived on two continents, sailed on two oceans, and lived in two genders. Their journey on tall ships started in 1980 when they signed on as a deckhand on the first Pride of Baltimore. From there, they spent the next 30 plus years working as a captain on various schooners and wooden workboats, in addition to working as a carpenter, calker, and rigger on the building restoration of several ships. Susan now lives on Marrowstone Island with their soulmate of 40 years, Cindy, and has been working for Sound Experience since 2018.
Get a taste of this beloved event!
Listen to some of your favorite past speakers on the KPTZ website.
She Tells Sea Tales Hat
Step up your headwear game and rep SheTells Sea Tales with a limited edition, event-inspired adjustable ballcap. Proceeds support women-forward programming at Northwest Maritime Center.
"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

About Give Like a Girl
When you make a gift to Northwest Maritime Center's Give Like a Girl fund, you're supporting programming like the Girls' Boat Project that engages girls and women in maritime activities. We are committed to providing opportunities for girls and women to gain maritime skills through the lessons of the sea. 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.

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. 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.
Questions?
For questions about the Girls' Boat Project, please contact Chrissy McLean at chrissy@nwmaritime.org. Learn more about Give Like a Girl here. For questions about donations contact Len Maranan-Goldstein at len@nwmaritime.org or 360.385.3628 x111.
"To those of us who work and play on the water, She Tells Sea Tales shines a light on the work we do, the grit we bring, and the joy we find on the ocean. We hope the event shares these stories with the rest of the world and inspires the next generation of young women and men to pursue their dreams no matter what they are or what gender stereotypes tell them they need to be."
– Kelley Watson
Past She Tells Sea Tales Speakers
Hali Boyd
Nahja Chimenti
Kaci Cronkhite
Nancy Erley
Mary Jane Gibson
Katie Guiliano
Carol Hasse
Leslie Lincoln
Margie McDonald
Cait Miller
Robin Mills
Kat Murphy
Bonnie Obremski
Sue Schaeffer
Rachel Slattery
Kate Starling
Diana Talley
Barb Trailer
Ava Veitenhans
Kai Wallin
Joyce Gustafson
Shannon Ward
Allison Demmert
Sharon Albert
Maria Cook