Chicago Yacht Club’s thriving Women’s Community had a banner year in 2025, supporting and celebrating women boaters on and off the water. The group’s mission was clear: to create an inclusive community that fosters meaningful connection through social and boating experiences that celebrate and elevate the incredible women of CYC.

On the Water

• Chicago Yacht Club’s Women on the Water Friday night series of social sails has continued for more than a decade! This program gets women on the Club’s fleet of Sonars for an opportunity to sail with and learn informally from one another, followed by dinner and camaraderie.
• All 65 women sailors of the 2025 Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac presented by Wintrust were honored on stage as a group during the Sailors Celebration on Mackinac Island.
• In cooperation with the Club’s Offshore Fleet, the inaugural Women’s Offshore Challenge was launched in September. This race required a woman skipper, and three of the 17 boats that participated had all-female crews. Competition was fierce, with a pursuit start and a challenging star-shaped course; the race was won by Minister, a T-10 helmed by CYC’s own Cindy Boynton.
• Also in September, CYC hosted the Women’s Match Racing World Championship, which brought 12 top all-women teams of match racers from seven countries to Chicago’s Belmont Station.

Outreach and Engagement

• The Women’s Community monthly email newsletter, webpage and WhatsApp Channel were launched, ensuring communication was timely, inclusive and welcoming to the 500+ women in the club.
• Regular contributions were made to club publications, Blinker magazine and Dock Lines e-newsletter, sharing stories and highlighting achievements with the broader membership.
• CYC’s 150th Anniversary was celebrated at the annual Ladies Luncheon, spotlighting CYC women of impact. An anchor charm necklace, designed by one of our own members, the late Cookie Merens, was available for purchase.

Out of the 515 women of CYC, nearly 50 were new members in 2025. Six women are on the 2026 slate of Board and Flag Officers and Directors, continuing our momentum of engagement and achievement in 2026 as our future leaders.