Fort Schuyler Magazine Spring 2023

ADVANCEMENT NEWS

Overseas Shipholding Group Pledges $90K for Women of Maritime It has been over 50 years since Maritime College became a co-ed institution of higher learning by accepting women into the Regiment of Cadets. Despite this historic milestone, the percentage of women at the College has remained relatively stagnant, hovering around 14% for the last decade. However, with the current shortage of mariners and declining high school populations, it is more crucial than ever to purposefully recruit women cadets to help grow the industry. Fortunately, companies such as Overseas Shipholding

Group (OSG) recognize the importance of increasing

the number of women in the maritime community. OSG’s President and CEO, Sam Norton, has discussed the mariner shortage with RADM Alfultis and expressed an interest in building a stronger pipeline of female licensed mariners. “We

are grateful for our long-standing relationship with SUNY Maritime College because it has consistently sent well-trained, well-prepared, and professional crews to OSG. Undoubtedly, increasing the number of women in the maritime community benefits the entire industry. OSG values diversity, and we are committed to training and hiring the next generation of female merchant mariners. OSG is proud to support the vision of SUNY’s Women of Maritime program,” noted Norton. During spring 2023, OSG made a three-year pledge totaling nearly $90,000 to support women at Fort Schuyler through the official club, Women of Maritime (WOM), established following a series of informal Sunday gatherings of female cadets during the 2022 Summer Sea Term. OSG will provide two scholarships per year to commercial ship training with OSG, funding for WOM members to attend national conferences, mentoring, and providing speakers to campus events. Another essential aspect is the cadets’ vision of recruiting young women to Maritime College. WOM President Ashley Cruz Batista 1/C said, “I’m thankful and humbled to know that OSG is committed to sponsoring women at SUNY Maritime. The board and I can’t wait to visit our high schools to share our stories and recruit more young women to campus. We are stronger together and ready to thrive in the industry.” Women of Maritime cadets will return to their high schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Long Island to share their stories and invite interested young women to visit campus. OSG’s support will allow for a series of on-site visits, including hands-on experience at the helm of the College’s 41-foot utility boat, tours of the Empire State VII, simulated navigation into New York Harbor on full-mission bridge simulators, and introductions to campus life. OSG is partnering with WOM to promote women entering the industry, and to build a pipeline to expand a dedicated and highly successful workforce.

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