A Woman, a Vision, a Network: The Rise of WAN in Washington and the Importance of Women in Marine and Coastal Affairs

By Katy Lackey

The engagement of women in marine and coastal affairs, particularly in leadership positions, is growing year after year. With the extraordinary camaraderie within this field, it is easy to forget that this wasn’t always the case. Too often we dismiss the importance of women in this field, how we got here, and what the future holds. This 6-part series dives into the engagement of women in marine and coastal affairs, beginning with an extraordinary group—The Women’s Aquatic Network (WAN)—and the women behind it. The remaining 5 articles detail individual stories of the positive legacy women have left in this sector, personal growth, work, travel, and networking in the field.

Washington, D.C. in the 1980s

To say 1984 in Washington, D.C. was a strange time is an understatement. The city was dynamic, with  a vibrant punk rock scene and the emergence of hip-hop. Ronald Reagan was three years into office, having recently survived an attempted assassination that shook the nation. Many neighborhoods were devastated by the yet to be identified HIV/AIDS epidemic.

 It was also a time when women held just 5% of seats in Congress, and although comprising nearly 44% of the workforce, were paid, on average, less than 65% of men holding equivalent positions. DC was still very much a “boy’s club.” The Cosmos Club^[1] only had one woman member (the actress Helen Hayes), with professional societies, networking opportunities, and mentorships evolving more comfortably between men for the benefit of men’s careers. Yet women gained significant ground, with Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court, Geraldine Ferraro as the first woman to run for Vice President on a major party ticket, and the formation of the National Black Women’s Political Caucus. Dr. Kathy Sullivan (later the NOAA Administrator) became the first American woman to walk in space. “Risks taken by women, barriers broken, victories savored, political defeats suffered, were never more visible than in 1984,” some said (Dullea, 1984).

The John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship Program^[2] had been running for five years, providing an incredible opportunity for men and women to apply respective expertise in marine and coastal affairs to policy making on Capitol Hill and within the government. This valuable program contributed to the ranks of women impacting ocean and Great Lakes-related policy in Washington, yet men still dominated political and career positions of leadership on the Hill and in the agencies.  The term “glass ceiling” came into vogue to describe the real challenges women faced in moving beyond mid-level careers.

The Birth of a Women’s Network

Three women from the 1983 Sea Grant program became friends and often discussed the “glass ceiling,” particularly within the ocean and Great Lakes-related fields. Over wine and cheese in 1984, they proposed gathering like-minded women together to discuss career development.

“The term ‘networking’ was a new reference to the way in which professionals bolstered each other’s careers. We clearly understood that it was a modern way to describe a practice that men had engaged for a millennia through men’s only clubs and activities. We wanted the same advantages and recognized that it was as simple as providing opportunities to gather together to develop our own network,” notes Helen Brohl, WAN co-founder and current Advisory Board member.

While not yet a formal organization, the small group of women began organizing information evenings and career-development discussions on the Hill. It didn’t take long for interest to grow among women professionals, leading to the establishment of the Women’s Aquatic Network (WAN) in 1985. Like many women in this era, they rose up and said yes, we need this, too. If networking and professional development opportunities were not going to come to them, they would bring it to one another.

WAN brought “together women with interest in marine and aquatic affairs for the purpose of:

1. Promoting the role of women in marine and aquatic affairs;
2. Providing a forum for the discussion of topical issues in marine and aquatic affairs;
3. Facilitating the interaction of women with interests in marine and aquatic affairs in an atmosphere that encourages information exchange; and
4. Identifying individuals, groups, organizations, programs and/or employment opportunities that could benefit the professional in her field(s) or interest and expertise in related area” (WAN Charter, 1985).

It was simple. It was bold. It was exactly what women in Washington needed.

Membership was open to women and men, to all who “support the objectives of the network” (WAN Charter, 1985). The group held bi-monthly meetings and organized events open to the public.

Events centered around networking and opportunities, speakers, and professional development. “Some events were standing room only crowds, recalls Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis, an early WAN member and current Advisory Board member, “such as when Senator Al Gore spoke to WAN.” The group also hosted events with the head of Peace Corps and at the old Executive Office with the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). 

The Importance of Women in Marine Conservation and Aquatic Science

The founders of WAN did not count the ways in which women enhance the marine and coastal fields. However, the goals of WAN then, as now, support women as a valuable resource for these sectors. 

In fact, studies (Gissi et al, 2018) show that women:

• Eliminate barriers to women participating in decision-making processes;
• Promote sustainable solutions for ocean and Great Lakes governance;
• Bring varied perspectives and social-cultural experiences to ocean policy;
• Balance development and conservation;
• Are more likely than men to change behaviors to reduce resource consumption;
• Lead the majority of efforts on marine litter and debris programs;
• Support and encourage sustainable practices at the community-level;
• Have significant roles in traditional artisanal and commercial fisherfolk societies; and
• Produce more sustainable catches and policies at small-scale fisheries.

While there are many reasons why women are important for marine and coastal affairs, smart, inclusive, holistic, and collaborative approaches rise to the top. As the global marine and aquatic sectors push to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources” (SDG #14), neither can—nor should we—ignore these factors. Restoring and protection our oceans is ultimately dependent on men and women working together.  

“If WAN emboldened the many brilliant and capable women in Washington, D.C. and elsewhere to move more boldly and value their worth within the field, one need look no further than the strides made over the last thirty years in positions of policy and organization leadership,” states Brohl. 

We have come a long way. The 2018 midterm elections brought an incredible wave of female leaders to the Hill; conversations are buzzing in Washington on these leaders backgrounds and the potential support for key ocean policies. Today, women make up nearly 20% of Congress^[1] and hold about 20% of seats in the Senate, with slightly higher representation throughout state governments.

But we still have a long way to go. Men still outnumber women at least 3 to 1, and as high as 6 to 1 in paid positions in physical science, oceanography, biology, conservation science, and engineering. While the national average now reflects women are paid about 80% of what men are (and 86% in the District), it is estimated that we will not fully close the gender pay gap until 2152. We are over a century away from true equality!

These numbers have yet to stop women. Women continue to gain ground and shift the sector. Gender diversity in ocean research is 10% higher than other research fields (UNESCO-IOC, 2017). In fact, the marine conservation, ocean science, and coastal sectors are teeming with women scientists, advocates, and political officials.

How many women? This interactive map highlights some of the incredible women working in the aquatic fields worldwide.

WAN THEN AND NOW 

In 1984, a small group of women that set out to change their careers and give one another the support and network needed to get by in Washington. Little did they know that 35 years later that group would not only live on, but pulse through the DMV (DC, Maryland, VA) as a thriving network changing generations of women and the impact they have in the marine/conservation sectors. The three women who founded WAN—Susan Wade, Becky Rootes, and Helen Brohl—went on to have high-level careers in marine and coastal policy. Helen Brohl and Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis (another early WAN member) are still active in the network, sitting on the Advisory Board and providing guidance and mentorship to younger Executive Board members.

Today, the Women’s Aquatic Network (www.womensaquatic.org) is a community of over 1,000 professionals in the marine, ocean, and aquatic sectors. While still primarily led by women, membership and leadership roles are open to both women and men. WAN holds around 10-15 events a year, including signature events such as Speed Mentoring, Salary Negotiation, Networking Panels at Capitol Hill Ocean Week (CHOW), and an annual Holiday Party honoring the WAN Woman of the Year. WAN  is working to meet the needs of a growing and diverse membership, including connections with the freshwater and water utility sectors, as well as professionals who are mid-career or working mothers.

Most important, WAN maintains the collaborative, supportive spirit it began with. About ten early to mid-career level professionals serve on the Executive Board each year. There is no president nor lead. Although the Executive Board functions through several sub-committees focused on different organization operations, there are no titles or specific roles for Board members. A more senior level Advisory Board, including some of WAN’s founding members, provides additional support and ideas, and connections. The group share responsibilities, doing what women have done throughout history: stepping up to lead, stepping in for one another when things are busy, and standing together for a more just world.

This article series further details some pretty amazing women connected with the Women’s Aquatic Network and the work they’re involved in:

• Nancy Knowlton, Coral Reef Biologist at the Smithsonian Institute and WAN’s 2018 Woman of the Year, reflects on the development of her career and women in marine science and conservation.
• Dana Tricarico, Outreach Coordinator for Miami Waterkeeper, discusses what inspired her to pursue a conservation career; the challenges of pursuing STEM as a woman; and what she’s learned about the importance of blending education, advocacy, and science.
• Kat Leigh, Leader of SmallScaleOA, tells us about a start-up that brings together researchers and fishers in a cost-effective, multi-benefit solution for ocean acidification mapping and traceable seafood production.
• Victoria Bell, WAN Executive Board member, takes us on a scuba diving journey through Roatán, Honduras.
• Dana Rollison, Project and Research Specialist for Ecosystems at the Environmental Defense Funds, shares her impressions on being part of a women’s network and how we can help grow one another’s careers.

These women, and others, continue to fight for our oceans and a sustainable future that includes us all.  If you are interested in joining WAN and in the Washington, D.C., area, become a member here: https://www.womensaquatic.org/member/ 

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Other articles in the Women’s Aquatic Network December series:

1. A Woman, a Vision, a Network: The Rise of WAN in Washington and the Importance of Women in Marine and Coastal Affairs, By Katy Lackey
2. From Wrecked Reefs to Ocean Optimism, By Dr. Nancy Knowlton
3. Becoming a Miami Waterkeeper, By Dana Tricarico
4. SmallScaleOA: A Win-Win for Academia, Industry, Community, and Conservation, By Katharine (Kat) Leigh
5. Diving Dreams and Solo Travel, By Victoria Bell
6. Why the Women Around You Are the Network You Need, By Dana Rollison

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Katy Lackey is a Research Manager at The Water Research Foundation. Her portfolio includes research on the shift to One Water, integrated water management, climate change and resiliency planning, decentralized (non-potable onsite reuse) systems, and sustainable energy. She is also a co-founder of Global Water Girls, a start-up looking to transform the collection and transport of ocean plastic waste into renewable energy at wastewater treatment plants.

Katy has a M.A. in Sustainable Development and Natural Resources from the UN-mandated University for Peace in Costa Rica, and a M.A. in International Relations from American University in Washington, DC. Katy served on the Executive Board for WAN from 2014-2018. She can be contacted at globalwatergirls@gmail.com. Headshot photo credit: Jonathan Felbinger

Notes: Views expressed in this article are the author’s own. They do not necessarily represent WAN or the author’s employer. Special thanks to Helen Brohl for her contributions to this article, and to both Helen and Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis for their review.

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^[1] Only 32% of these women are women of color.

^[1] The Cosmos Club is a private social club in Washington DC that was established to advance its members in science, literature, and art.

^[2]  Established in 1979, this is a program of the National Sea Grant College Program under the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Many current WAN members are Knauss fellows/alumni.

 

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References

1. Charter, Women’s Network – Aquatic and Marine Affairs. 1985. The Women’s Aquatic Network (WAN): Washington, DC.
2. Dullea, Georgia. “Women in 1984: Steps Forward and Back.” New York Times. New York, NY. December 31, 1984.
3. Gissi, E.; Portman, M.E.; and A.K. Hornidge. 2018. Un-gendering the ocean: Why women matter in ocean governance for sustainability. Marine Policy 94, 215-219.
4. Ignotofsky, Rachel. 2016. Women in Science: 50 Fearless Pioneers Who Changed the World. Berkeley, CA: Ten Speed Press.
5. McDermott, Amy. 2018. Want to Protect the Oceans? Empower Women. Oceana Blog: https://oceana.org/blog/want-protect-oceans-empower-women.
6. UNESCO-IOC, 2017. Global Ocean Science Report. Paris: UNESCO IOC. Available: https://en.unesco.org/gosr.
7. Women4Oceans. Company Website: https://women4oceans.weebly.com/ocean-women.html.