Congratulations to the 2020 honoree, Margaret Pommert
BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award
Margaret Pommert of Seattle, WA, was named the 2020 BoatUS/National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award recipient. The award recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing. Pommert was honored at the June 6th OLÉ by NWSA President Debbie Huntsman. The award was presented to Margaret in a social distancing, virtual manner by Nancy Erley via Zoom.
Pommert is a Pacific Northwest native, who has sailed in many parts of the world’s top cruising destinations including the Caribbean, South Pacific, and Greece. For several years Pommert taught sailing in California, on dinghies and keelboats, monohulls and catamarans. She began her formal certifications in 2006 when she became an ASA certified instructor. She is also a US Sailing certified instructor, and holds a 50 ton U.S. Coast Guard Master’s License. Pommert teaches at numerous locations and captains several trips annually. She has also written several articles on various subjects addressing specifically women and girls as well as articles for all sailors. She developed a website, www.seattleonthewater.com to promote programs and opportunities for women to learn more sailing and boating skills. Pommert is a skipper of an all women J/105 where she enjoys sharing the fun of racing fast boats and flying spinnakers.
Pommert has been called a force of nature for her unending enthusiasm for the sport and getting more women on the water, whether it be in a sailboat or a power boat, in a classroom, or just in conversation. She has been leading the Seattle Sailing Women’s Program since 2013, with monthly sails introducing a wide variety of boats, destinations, and fun adventures. Pommert encourages women to step up to new responsibilities, to expand their capabilities and confidence, and thus their horizons. NWSA President Debbie Huntsman adds ”In addition, Pommert has developed impressive, forward thinking on-line learning opportunities for bringing more women sailors into the fold as instructors and licensed mariners. In doing so she has truly shown exceptional leadership in women’s sailing and is most deserving of this award.”