May 16, 2026 |
2026 EVENT detailsSaturday, May 16, 2026 We are excited to welcome Pam Rice as our Keynote Speaker for the 2026 Milwaukee Women's Sailing Conference!
In 1989, Rice became the first African American woman skipper at Jackson Park Yacht Club, later serving on the board for a total of 10 years. In 1994, Pam Rice formed the first crew composed of both male and female African American skippers to take part in the Chicago to Mackinaw Race. Noting the lack of a recorded history for African American sailors, she founded BlackChicagoSailors.org in 2006, a virtual organization that connected both men and women sailors. At various times, Rice encouraged women sailors to become skippers by selling three of her boats to women. For five years, Rice organized an annual flotilla, guiding new skippers across Lake Michigan and up the western coast for trips lasting up to two weeks. Managing up to twelve boats, she earned the respect of the primarily male skippers. Solo-circumnavigator Captain Bill Pinkney sailed with Rice on several occasions while in Chicago and in the B.V.I. She partnered with Pinkney to produce and illustrate his final children’s book, ‘Sailing Commitment Around The World’. She is a current board member at the Chicago Maritime Museum. For a list of all of her books please visit her website: https://www.pamricedesign.com/
Conference Fee: $175 price per person includes breakfast, lunch, reception, and attendee gift bag. Special under-30 pricing! The first five registrants between 15 and 30 years old will receive a discounted rate of $100. Attendees from 15-18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. If you would like information about financial assistance for registration, please visit this page. Deadline: Registration opens January 2026. Registration is open until we reach capacity, but early registration offers you the best choice of classes.
2026 Housing Information Ambassador Hotel 2308 W Wisconsin Avenue Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53233 414-207-8971 Conference pricing: King $159, Double Queen $179 Mention the Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference in order to receive the group rate or Click here to book Please note: Parking fee/Shuttle does not run to MCSC Milwaukee also has many other housing options including Airbnb and Vrbo, especially for larger groups.
Conference Refund Policy
| 2026 pre- and post- conference events
Join your fellow conference attendees at our pre- and post-conference events. Indicate which event(s) you will attend as part of your conference registration
 
Join us for the MWSC Friday night kickoff party! Friday, May 15 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Milwaukee Yacht Club 1700 N Lincoln Memorial Drive A lighter twist on our favorite Friday night event:
Cost: $38 per person This event is only open to Midwest Women's Conference attendees, instructors and board members. Yacht club casual attire.
MWSC Brunch Sip and Paint Sunday, May 17 1442 Underwood Avenue What better way to end the conference weekend than by kicking back, relaxing and painting with your fellow sailors and friends? Join us for an instructor-led, sailing-themed painting class at Arté, complete with options to sip (alcohol or not!) while you paint. Light breakfast fare will be from 9:30 to 10:00 followed by painting from 10:00-12:00. If you need to leave early to catch the ferry that is ok! Your registration fee of $50 includes all materials, breakfast, coffee, taxes and gratuities. A "cash" bar (credit card only) will be available if you want to paint with a Bloody Mary or Mimosa in hand! Plenty of parking is available nearby. This program is available to Midwest Women's Sailing Conference attendees, instructors, board members and their guests. Please indicate if you will bring a guest during your registration.
Safety at Sea is back!Back by popular demand in 2026! US Sailing Sanctioned Hands-On Only training (1-day) This presentation of Safety at Sea is uniquely geared toward women learning with other women, and will be taught and facilitated by women only. When: May 15th, 2026 7:30AM - 4:30PM
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Pam Rice, a designer and author/illustrator of children’s books, bought her first boat in 1972.