Year after year, the Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival evolves, yet in many ways, it feels like reconnecting with a dear friend, and the inventive opportunities and unique stories within the wooden boat community continue to impress. What is particularly exciting at this year’s Festival is that Women in Boatbuilding (WIBB) and Port Townsend’s Women of the Working Waterfront (WOWW) are connecting to recognize, inspire, and celebrate women in the maritime industry.
Women in Boatbuilding is a thriving international community created to support and inspire women working in boatbuilding and related trades. Initially started as an Instagram account, WIBB quickly grew into an influential leader in the maritime industry throughout the United Kingdom and beyond, and three of the directors from WIBB will be presenting at the festival.
Founder Belinda Joslin of WIBB highlights the importance of visibility and representation in the industry. She states, “One challenge that I faced was initially not considering boatbuilding as a realm I could belong to. As the saying goes, ‘you have to see it to be it,’ a sentiment that holds significant truth. Our industry, historically, has been predominantly male-dominated. In response, I launched ‘Women in Boatbuilding’ on Instagram with the simple aim of connecting with fellow female boatbuilders. Over time, this initiative has blossomed into a thriving community—a platform that offers the opportunity to ‘see it’ in action.”
In 2023, on International Women’s Day, WIBB announced their Mentoring Program, connecting ten mentors with ten mentees to provide early career support and advice to women in the industry for ten months. Visit their website to learn more (or apply!) at womeninboatbuilding.org.
Women of the Working Waterfront (WOWW) is a research project by Diana Talley, the first female boatbuilder in Port Townsend to own her own shop and thrive in the boatyard. WOWW shines a light on, honors, and documents the contributions of Jefferson County women who work in the maritime industry, recognizing their cultural significance in building a hearty and robust working waterfront.
The Port Townsend community has been working to embrace and invite women throughout the waterfront especially with the support and inspiration of Diana Talley. From captains to adventurers, sailmakers, canvas and finish workers, shipwrights, scientists, artists and writers, maritime educators, and leaders, women are seen and celebrated as professionals. You can also look around the bay and see women rowers (you have to wake up early for that one!), kayakers, sailors, and paddleboarders. It is an exciting time to all take an oar and grow the maritime industry.
The Port Townsend Wooden Boat Festival continues to be a beloved event, growing and innovating each year while maintaining its cherished traditions. This year’s focus on women in the maritime industry is a testament to the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and celebration of all who contribute to the world of wooden boats.
Both organizations will have booths at the event, and there will be several opportunities to engage with this vibrant community through the collaborative boat project they will be working on throughout the event, as well as presentations, a panel discussion a social tea and group photo.
WOWW and WIBB – Women in Boat Building will be hosting a Tea Social with a for a community photograph afterwards on Friday night.
Tea Social Friday, 5 PM, Innovation Stage
Photo, Friday, 6 PM
Also, be sure to check out the following presentations:
Maritime Matriarchs: The Women Shaping the International Marine Sector
Annie Means, Belinda Joslin | WA, USA
Friday, 3 PM | Adventure Stage
New Sparks: Tales from a Young Marine Electrician
Sydney Fassam | UK
Friday, 1 PM | Boat Yard Stage
Boatbuilding in Italy
Gaia Brojanigo| Italy
Saturday, 11 AM | Innovation stage
International Women Boatbuilding Panel
Belinda Joslin, Christina MacPheat, Sydney Fassam,
Gaia Brojanigo, Obioma Oji
Saturday, 2 PM | Cruising stage
Fight or Float
Abbey the Boat Builder | UK
Saturday, 4 PM | Innovation Stage
Sustainable Boatbuilding
Obioma Oji | UK
Sunday, 10 AM | Innovation Stage
Entering Boatbuilding As a Women Later in Life
Heike Lowenstein | UK
Sunday, 2 PM | Innovation Stage
