Pat Dieselman did not grow up sailing. Her husband introduced her on a J-29, then on a cruising boat, on which they explored New England. Bareboat charter trips with the Blue Water Sailing Club to Turkey, Croatia, Greece, France and the British Virgin Islands followed. Pat recognized most women in her Club had never taken their boats out without their husbands. So she initiated weeklong cruises for just the women, empowering them to take the helm.

Pat has been co-chair of the AdventureSail event for young girls at risk held at Courageous Sailing Center in Charlestown, MA for two decades. Pat is the 2019 NWSA / BoatUS Leadership in Women’s Sailing Award honoree.