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Women on the Water Conference

Each year, the Maritime Administration partners with one of the seven maritime academies to host the annual Women on the Water Conference. This multi-day event showcases the successes of women in the maritime industry and encourages female cadets and midshipmen to prepare themselves for the ever-evolving trade.

Women on the Water highlights the vital role and contributions women play in our nation's maritime workforce, especially its future leaders, by offering cadets and midshipmen an invaluable opportunity to learn from seasoned mariners and experts in maritime professional development. The conference’s primary goal is fostering camaraderie and facilitating peer networking. Attendees meet with industry leaders, maritime professionals, fellow students, and academy representatives in workshops, mock interviews, one-on-one mentoring sessions, and speeches from the maritime industry's top female professionals.

In 2025, The Great Lakes Maritime Academy, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration, will host the 13th Annual Women on the Water Conference in Washington, DC, with Dates to be confirmed.