Women’s Sailing Foundation elects Linda Newland as President

At the annual meeting of the Women’s Sailing Foundation held June 8 at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Linda Newland of Port Hadlock, Washington, was elected the president for the June 2014 to June 2015 Foundation Board term. Elected to the Foundation Board in 2005, Newland served as Vice President in 2009-2010 and again from 2013 to 2014.

A maritime attorney and former school district administrator, Newland is past Commodore of Pacific Coast Yachting Association, immediate past commander of the Point Wilson Sail and Power Squadron of Port Townsend and on the board of the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding in Port Hadlock. She holds a 100-ton Captain’s license, is an American Sailing Association (ASA) certified sailing instructor and specializes in teaching women to sail.

Newland expressed plans to improve member benefits and communication for the National Women’s Sailing Association, a program of the Foundation, improve the website and expand the locations for programs for underserved young girls. “I feel strongly that increasing our use of the various social media tools will improve communication with our members and the public”, said Newland. “Teaming up with community sailing programs and women’s sailing associations is critical to supporting our mission in regards to at-risk girls 9 to 14 years of age.”

Also elected for the 2014 – 2015 term of the Women’s Sailing Foundation were Susan Epstein, Sharon, MA – Vice President; Joyce Hersh, Lincoln, MA – Secretary and Scottie Robinson, Essex, MA – Treasurer.

Continuing on the board are Gina Beinecke, Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA; Beth Burlingame, North Kingstown, RI; Claire Gerrish, Peabody, MA; Gail Hine, Murrieta, CA and immediate past president, Joan Thayer of Marblehead, MA.

The mission of the Women’s Sailing Foundation (WSF), a 501(c)(3) organization, is to enhance the lives of women and girls through education and access to the sport of sailing. The two main programs of the Foundation are the National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) and AdventureSail®. WSF accomplishes its mission by providing its NWSA members with educational programs and opportunities for sailing and networking. The AdventureSail® program is a life-enhancing mentoring program for underserved girls which involves its NWSA members and selected groups of girls from cities across the United States. For more information, visit www.womensailing.org