2012 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award

Dickinson Awarded BoatUS/NWSA 2012 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award
 
At the 11th Women’s Sailing Conference, Elaine Dickinson received the Leadership in Women’ Sailing Award.
Eliaine has spent her life devoted to promoting sailing and making the public aware of opportunities for women.
For more information, refer to the article on the conference.

Left to right: Marcia Bennet, Joan Thayer co-chairs; Elaine Dickinson, 

recipient of Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award; Claire Wyngaard, BoatUS Public Affairs Associate

June 2, 2012 - A life-long sailor, Elaine Dickinson was honored Saturday, June 2, 2012 with the National Women’s Sailing Association/BoatUS 2012 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award at the 11th Women’s Sailing Conference held in Marblehead MA and hosted by the Corinthian Yacht Club. 

This award is given to an individual who had built up a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing. 

Dickinson learned to sail at age 25 by taking an Outward Bound course and immersed herself in the world of boating, both personally and professionally as journalist and lobbyist for BoatUS. She served on the National Safe Boating Council, a three-year appointment the US Coast Guard Boating Safety Advisory Council, and NOAA’s Hydrographic Services Review Panel which advises NOAA leadership on navigation issues.

She raised awareness about women’s sailing educational events and women in maritime fields in articles for BoatUS Magazine, started the  BoatUS Women in Boating website and served as a dedicated National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) board member for ten years.

Retired in 2010 after 26 years with BoatUS’ Government, Public Affairs and Publications departments, Dickinson now enjoys cruising the Atlantic coast with her husband, Naval Architect Jack Hornor, on their Catalina 42.

“Elaine took the initiative to encourage women of all ages to try sailing,” said NWSA President Joan Thayer. “As a sailor herself and a journalist writing about boating legislation and news, Elaine contributed her own boating safety experience to workshops and readers, including writing about women boaters in maritime fields and women-only events. She conducted informal surveys of women asking them about boating topics and how they like to learn, finding many women feel more comfortable learning from women instructors and speakers. Our event still follows that format today."