Young Chicago Women Build Sailing Skills and Confidence Through CYC Foundation's "Lead HER Ship" Program
September 20, 2022
Chicago teen Sky Edmonds worried she’d be homesick over the course of five days sailing on a tall ship on Lake Michigan. Alice Bakkum wondered if she’d be able to fall asleep on the boat. Emily Kohler was nervous about swimming in the lake. Yet the same eight teenage girls, who just days earlier had quietly filed onto a bus bound for Detroit, arrived back home from their sailing adventure brimming with excitement, stories, and new friendships.
Now in its 12th year, the CYC Foundation’s “Lead HER Ship” program offers underrepresented Chicagoland girls ages 14-18 an opportunity to learn to sail, lead, and work together as a team during a five-day, live-aboard cruise on Lake Michigan. In July, the young women sailed from Detroit to Suttons Bay aboard a tall ship operated by the Inland Seas Education Foundation, the CYC Foundation’s partner in the program since 2015.
“We hoped it would be a transformational experience for the young women,” said Cyd Archer, CYC Foundation Board Vice President. Based on feedback from the girls – and their confident demeanor after the trip – that goal was achieved.
“You see the girls when they’re leaving for the trip and they’re all pretty quiet. They don’t say much – they’re shy,” Cyd said. “When they come back, they’re totally different women. It’s amazing. They’re talkative, more confident, more independent. They’ve stood night watch. They’ve learned how to sail a boat. They know how to check an engine. And they’re all trading cell numbers so they can stay in touch.”
For most of the girls, it was their first time away from home as well as their first experience on a boat. Beyond learning nautical terms and the mechanics of sailing, there were STEM activities including hands-on lessons to better understand the lake and its ecosystems. The ship’s chef also offered the girls cooking lessons and taught them about healthy eating.
A highlight of the trip for many of the young women was exploring a deserted island only accessible by boat. The island excursion included climbing the steep stairs of a lighthouse for a view Yamilet Albarran called “amazing.”
While the girls enjoyed busy days aboard the tall ship, it was the tranquility of the nights that many said they’ll remember most.
“I loved being on watch at night time because it was a new environment for me,” said Ava Voeun. “Seeing the lake pitch black with only the moon shining on you – it’s really pretty and calming,” she said.
For Yamilet, it’s the unforgettable sunsets that will stay with her.
“I never want to forget laughing with my friends and enjoying the sunset without a care in the world,” she said.
And it turns out “showering” in the lake was a thrill, too. “It was so cold – but so fun,” Emily said.
For 14-year-old Sky, the experience was both exhilarating and a confidence builder.
“Coming on the boat, I was scared. Coming off the boat, I really liked it. Being away from my phone and away from everything was really refreshing. I had time to think a lot – and I’m really glad I came.”
Special thanks to John Benish for sponsoring the bus and drivers for the trip.