Sally Helme Honoured with Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award
Dear Sally,
On behalf of the Canadian Yachting Team I wanted to reach out personally to
send our best wishes on you being awarded the 2015 Leadership in Women’s
Sailing Award. I grew up in a family business where my father often said be
a member of the community and industry we serve first and then be the
publisher. I have long felt you have always acted in the this way and giving
back to the industry is something you have always done so well.
Continued best wishes,
Warm personal regards from Canada……
John
JOHN W. KERR
KERRWIL PUBLICATIONS LIMITED
Sally Helme Honoured with Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award
Sally Helme, of Newport, RI and publisher of Bonnier Corp.’s Cruising World and Sailing World magazines, has been honoured with the 2015 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award. Presented by National Women’s Sailing Association (NWSA) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the honour recognizes an individual with a record of achievement in inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of women through sailing. The award was presented this weekend at the NWSA Annual Conference in Marblehead, MA.
“Sally is a widely recognized leader in the sailing industry and she has effectively supported women in all aspects of sailing throughout her life,” said NWSA President Linda Newland. “She has made a significant impact on the business of sailing and how the roles of women in sailing are viewed. We are pleased to recognize her commitment to women in sailing with this award.”
Photo: (L to R) Scottie Robinson Conference Co-Chair, 2015 Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award honoree Sally Helme. Linda Newland Women’s Sailing Foundation President and Joan Thayer Conference Co-Chair. Photo Credit Susan Ogan.
Added Newland, “As a young woman, Sally sailed for her college team and subsequently began to get more involved, eventually earning seats on several boards and committees that support and promote sailing, particularly for women.” Helme also worked with Offshore Sailing School CEO Doris Colgate to create and sponsor NWSA’s Take the Helm series of women’s educational and networking events.
“I have always believed that women can have a significant impact on our industry, and it’s been my goal to spread that idea and encourage more efforts to meet the needs of this very important market,” said Helme. “I have also always valued what sailing can bring to our lives — providing a wonderful escape, instilling a sense of confidence and self-reliance, and simply offering cherished time on the water with friends and family.”
Inside the marine industry Helme remains a role model for women. Climbing the corporate ladder to the pinnacle of two very widely read and respected sailing magazines, Helme was the first female publisher in the sailing industry. She advocated for positive depictions of women in the magazines, showing them in leadership roles on boats, on boards, in competitions, and in photos and articles to inspire and illustrate the many challenging aspects of sailing. “She works to inspire and lead women to enjoy sailing as much as she does,” said Newland.
Helme is a past president of Sail America, the trade association for the US sailing industry that plays a vital role for all sailing-related products and services companies. She has served on the boards of Sail Newport and US Sailing, and is currently a vice president of Marine Marketers of America. Helme was also a founding member of International Women in Boating, a marine industry professional-development organization for women. In 2011 Helme was honoured with the Sail Magazine Industry Leadership Award, and in 2014, the Rhode Island Marine Trade Association Anchor Award.
