Inspiring the Next Generation of Women on the Water- Part 2

On July 15, the Michigan Maritime Museum, Gull Lake Marine, and Boat Safe Chicago partnered to host a Women on the Water event for middle school girls from South Haven Public Schools! Witnessing these young women explore the diverse career opportunities within the maritime industry was truly inspiring. It’s incredibly important to expose girls to all the available careers in this field, from marine mechanics and engineers to captains and conservationists. This early exposure helps broaden their horizons and shows them the vast potential for their futures. This was the second event of the year, following an event for high school girls in May, which continued the crucial effort of introducing girls to these exciting paths.

The event, skillfully spearheaded by Ashley Deming, Director of Education and Programs at the Michigan Maritime Museum, and Barry Broekhuizen, Group General Manager at Gull Lake Marine Center Inc., and a dedicated museum board member, offered an engaging experience. The students enjoyed insightful facility tours and the highlight of the day: exhilarating boat rides aboard a beautiful Boston Whaler 250 Outrage and a Pioneer 222 Islander, generously provided by Gull Lake Marine!

We were privileged to have seasoned fishing charter Captain Rylee Gonzalez as our featured speaker for the event. At only 22 years old, Captain Rylee’s story was truly inspirational, and the girls could easily connect with this outstanding role model. Her journey exemplifies the numerous possibilities within the maritime world, demonstrating to girls that a career on the water is not only achievable but also incredibly rewarding.

A fun fact is that Captain Rylee graduated from West Ottawa Public Schools, and her third-grade teacher was our very own Boat Safe Chicago Captain Jeff Gaul!

Another speaker was Anne Uzelac, a recent high school graduate who talked about her experience working as a dockhand at Freedom Boat Club. Her firsthand account provided a relatable perspective on entry-level positions and the stepping stones available in the industry. We were excited to have Bree give us a tour of Gull Lake Marine facilities, and then we were especially thrilled to take our boat tours!

The Michigan Maritime Museum is a true gem on South Haven’s waterfront, offering beautifully crafted exhibits that showcase the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes. It’s a must-visit for anyone interested in maritime history and also a unique venue for corporate events or weddings!

Boat Safe Chicago rightly encourages companies to offer paid days off for their employees to participate in vital events like these, which contribute to strengthening and diversifying the marine industry workforce.

Let’s continue to support and inspire the next generation of maritime professionals! 

#WomenInMaritime #MaritimeCareers #GirlsinSTEM #MichiganMaritimeMuseum #GullLakeMarine #RoleModels #MakingADifference #FutureLeaders #SafeBoating