BoatUS and the National Women’s Sailing Association have honored Dr. Anne Kolker with the BoatUS/NSWA Award, which recognizes an individual who inspires, educates and enriches the lives of women through sailing.
Kolker had been a lifelong sailor, but when her husband died in 2008, she realized that she needed more experience in handling and docking their Sparkman & Stephens-designed Stellar 52. And she had never raced offshore.
She gained expertise by sailing with other women and eventually crossed the Atlantic. She has inspired dozens of women to seek out sailing opportunities, and has hosted all-women crews in offshore races from New England to Bermuda.
Kolker’s crews have won the Faith Paulson Trophy five times and placed first for an all-women crew in the biennial Marion-Bermuda Race. She’s a member of Stonington and New York yacht clubs, the Cruising Club of America and Offshore Cruising Club.
“As Dr. Kolker had done for herself, she has encouraged other women to seek out the skills and experience they need and has offered other women opportunities to learn by sailing with her and her teams,” NWSA president Debby Grimm said in a statement. “Many women sought her out to be on her teams or get advice. She has offered encouragement to other women to enter their own boats in challenging races and been an inspirational speaker for a variety of sailing organizations.”
Added Kolker: “Somehow men always find it so fascinating that we (women) are so capable, but we are. The best thing about sailing is every time you go sailing, you learn something. Confident competence is my constant goal. Women are great shipmates with many competencies.”
