She Sails.
I've wanted to host a Meetup for quite some time. I finally realized there would never be a good time to do it. Hosting a Meetup for sailors means you can basically guarantee that 50% of the people don't know what their schedule will be and the other 50% know they'll be at sea! I decided to just go for it and hope people come.
As I started planning I had no idea what to call it. I was thinking 'Lady Sailors in Sin City' and other ridiculous things. (It was also pointed out to me that some Women might not like being called a Lady Sailor - I get it.)
I put the naming aside and got to work on finding a hotel that would meet our needs. I started building a schedule and reaching out to women who may be interested in leading workshops and discussions. I began building the website and I went looking for quotes.
“She stood in the storm and when the wind did not blow her way she adjusted her sails. ”
That Elizabeth Edwards quote has always been one of my favorites. What jumped out at me though were two words: She. Sails. The words rang true and I thought 'That's it! That's what I'd like to call the Meetup!'.
A couple years back I was at a barbecue that was hosted by some of my male classmates. I could tell that there were other Alumni there even though I had never met them. I felt super duper out of place. I could tell that a lot of the guys didn't quite know what to make of me. I had been sailing for quite a few years by then so it was kind of obvious that I was following along with the 'shop talk'. I heard one of the guys lean over and whisper to the guy standing next to him 'who's that?' and the guy said, 'that's Megan - She Sails.'. I remember standing there silently thinking, 'that's right Gentlemen. She Does.'.
'She Sails' is something I've said of other women. Example: 'How do you know her? Oh, I don't but, she sails.'
I've stood in the storm - ha! literally! - I've adjusted my sails. There have been times in my career when I've thought, 'I'm not sure I can take one more day'. There have been years where I really could have used a mentor. There have been times at sea where I've thought, 'oh my god. I haven't seen or talked to a woman in over two months!'. There have been days where I could have used a girlfriend 'who got it'. I know there are women working on the water who have stood in the storm and adjusted their sails too. I'd like to meet you!
She Sails. It's simple - and says it all.