Phyllis McDonald has been part of the boating industry for more than 40 years and served as president of the Milwaukee-based Midwest Women’s Sailing Conference from 2016 to 2020.
The nonprofit organization aims to “empower women of all skill levels in the sport of sailing through education and networking,” according to its website. Its annual conference, held annually in Milwaukee, is the only conference of its kind for women sailors in the Midwest – the next nearest conferences are on the West or East coasts, said Teresa Coronado, director of outreach and development for the Milwaukee Community Sailing Center.
A longtime resident of Milwaukee, McDonald also helped lead the charge in developing the Milwaukee Bay Women’s Sailing Organization, holding leadership positions and serving as a mentor.
“The MBWSO promotes women in sailing and creates a spirit of good fellowship, both of which McDonald continues to do,” said Coronado. “Her mentees have gone on to buy and build their own boats, sail in the Race to Alaska and sail in local, national and international sailing races.”
