Flag Officers
The Board is made up of five Flag Officer positions (Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, Secretary, and Treasurer) and up to five additional Directors. Contact the Commodore if you are interested in serving on the Board and giving back to the OWSA Community.
Becky first began sailing 20 years ago when her dad retired and bought his first boat, a Catalina 22. Their time together was limited, as Becky was raising three daughters on the west coast while her mom & dad were living in Illinois, but her dad made the most of their sails on little Lake Decatur, handing over the tiller, teaching her to crew, and packing their time with as many lessons as possible.
A few years later, and as serendipity would have it, Becky's childhood best friend Candace and her Scottish husband Gordon bought their first boat, a J22, and Becky sailed with them on Lake Travis during her visits to Austin, TX. As Candace & Gordon were also beginning their preparations for buying and living aboard a larger boat to sail up and down the eastern seaboard, they began inviting Becky to crew & learn more on chartered boats on blue water sails, including multiple sails between Long Beach and Catalina Island, and an incredible sail in the Gulf of Mexico. Becky's first trip aboard Candace & Gordon's liveaboard, the Caledonia, a Moody 44, was to help organize & make it beautiful. On her next trip, Becky helped sail many miles south from Beaufort, NC. Becky learned provisioning skills, how to untangle a line from an overwrap on a winch, how not to get (too) seasick, how to sail overnight, how to handle the autopilot and navigate a narrow channel when both skipper and first mate are sick, how many layers you can pack on to stay warm on a 9-day long sail in freezing, rainy weather, and how not to be flung overboard in rolly seas, all while having the time of your life.
And then, again serendipitously, Becky needed something to do after moving to Portland just before Covid hit, and Candace, who knew two members of OWSA, recommended that Becky join. Becky immediately hit the river hard, attending every online social and meeting in 2020, eagerly going on nearly every WNS for three consecutive summers, winning the ISC scholarship and obtaining her ASA skipper certification, serving as Secretary, Vice Commodore, and Commodore, and in her third summer of sailing with OWSA, logged over 300 miles on 35 sails, proudly admitting to sailing having become a sweet addiction. Becky is eagerly looking forward to the upcoming year and all that it will holdmost importantly, more learning, more sailing, and more camaraderie for the women of OWSA in a supportive and joyful environment, and OWSA's 30th anniversary!
Email: commodore@owsa.net
Contact the commodore for questions about the board meetings and community outreach.
I think sailing must be in my English/Irish genes because I didn't grow up sailing, and didn't really know anyone who sailed, but about seven years ago, I caught the sailing bug. But, it was out of my reach to buy a sailboat and join a Good-Old-Boys yacht club, and I was too intimidated to wander down to the shipyard to learn more about sailing and boats. Discovering OWSA was a game-changer for me. It felt like a safe space where I could learn at my own pace, in my own way, in a nurturing and empowering organization, just for women.
Since I took the OWSA plunge, back in 2017, Ive sailed in New Zealand, La Paz, and the San Juan Islands. I joined the BOAST program where I have been making new sailing friends and clocking nautical miles on Picaroon. I was part of the 2023 group of OWSA sailors who got Bareboat Certified. And I have enjoyed many a Wednesday Night Sail!
OWSA changed my life! Im a sailor now! Someone who knows more about outboard motors than she ever wanted to know! I'm honored to serve on the board to help forward the mission of getting more women on sailboats, and I'm excited for all the sailing adventures yet to come with my OWSA sisters.
Email: vicecommodore@owsa.net
Contact the vice commodore for questions about the general meetings, director nominations, the board retreat and community outreach.
Allison Chown learned to sail at Girl Scout Camp in the late 90s on a Sunfish in Texas. In college she joined the Sailing Club, and raced with her team all over Texas. After having OWSA on her radar for quite a while, she joined OWSA the summer of 2018 once she had more free time available. Allison served as the communications chair for OWSA in 2019. Outside of sailing, Allison has been a volunteer and an executive leader in the Junior League of Portland. She has also served on the board of Alberta Main Street. Her experience includes management, event execution, marketing, education, and she is currently an Esthetician at The Portland Girl.
Email: rearcommodore@owsa.net
Contact the rear commodore for questions about the ISC Scholarship, donations and community outreach.
Email: secretary@owsa.net
Contact the secretary about meeting minutes, the annual report and business registry records
Jennifer, a newcomer to sailing, discovered her passion when she experienced the thrill of being out to sail on the Columbia on a windy spring day. Enthralled by the experience, she promptly enrolled in sailing lessons. She discovered OWSA, and loves the idea of giving more women the opportunity to try sailing, and is eager to help out any way she can. Jennifer prides herself as being friendly and open-minded, which she believes helps build connections and foster positive relationships with others.
Jennifer is a Canadian transplant to Oregon from Toronto where she has since volunteered with HomePlate Youth Services, as well as with THPRD as a basketball coach. In Toronto, she worked in property accounting for commercial real estate. Now living in Beaverton, she is hoping to build her skills as a sailor and just get out on the water as much as possible!
Email: treasurer@owsa.net
Contact the treasurer about OWSA's 501(c)3 status, accounts payable & receivable and department budgets.
Thank you to the amazing Commodores that have provided vision and leadership to OWSA over the years:
2023 - Allison Chown | 2016 - April Deines | 2009 - Julia Tucker | 2002 - Mary Stupi Brocks |
2022 - Laura Gadley | 2015 - Dondi Kathman | 2008 - Edie Felix | 2001 - Mary Woiccak |
2021 - Jennifer Hall (Wiseman) | 2014 - Ashley Patterson | 2007 - Cathie Dluehosh | 2000 - Linda Wanitschek |
2020 - Shancy Holland | 2013 - Ellen Van Rossum | 2006 - Susan Estes | 1999 - Alice Patten |
2019 - Delona Lang | 2012 - Susan Gierga | 2005 - Judi Davis | 1998 - Cheryl McNaughton |
2018 - Tressa Yellig | 2011 - Kitty Church | 2004 - Sue Johnson | 1997 - Gail Taylor |
2017 - MC Rydzewski | 2010 - Wendy Hatchadourian | 2003 - Donna Mac | 1996 - Susan Burns |
1995 - Sherry Robinson |