Their Legacy, Our Future: A Letter from AMCC Leadership Honoring Women in Fisheries

Posted on November 19, 2025

This November, AMCC honors International Fisher Women’s Day by celebrating the women who sustain Alaska’s fishing communities and the legacy of leadership, resilience, and dedication they continue to inspire.

A Letter of Thanks to the Women Who Came Before,

To the women who built the foundation of our fishing communities, who worked the tides, kept families afloat, and refused to let their voices go unheard: thank you. 

You showed us what strength looks like. You were there before there were boots made for women, before crews and policy tables had space for your names. You worked the decks, managed the books, raised the kids, cared for your neighbors, packed the freezers, and still found time to show up at meetings that shaped the future of your communities. You did the work because it needed to be done, not for recognition or reward, but because that’s what women in fisheries have always done.

Over time, your persistence began to change what was possible. Doors that were once closed to women gradually opened. Boats became family operations where everyone contributed. Women started owning permits, running vessels, leading businesses, and helping to write the policies that shape how we fish. What once needed constant justification, such as being a woman on deck or in charge, is now a point of pride. 

Even as roles have changed, much remains the same. The heart of this life still lies in early mornings and late nights, in the rhythm of tides and the pull of duty. Women continue to balance the work of sea and land, keeping the lines neatly coiled between home, community, and the water. The same grit, resourcefulness, and quiet leadership that defined past generations still keep our communities strong today.

We also recognize and join our efforts with women in fisheries who are still working for fair access, equal opportunities on boats and in policy, and recognition of the unpaid and often unseen labor that sustains a thriving working waterfront community. We continue to work so that every young woman who dreams of fishing, leading, or advocating for her community sees a clear path to do so. Everything we build today rests on the foundation you established. Your courage allowed us to stand confidently, lead without hesitation, and envision a future where our daughters and granddaughters can thrive in the fisheries you helped shape.

To all the women who came before, and to those holding the line today, thank you. Your hands, your hearts, and your strength are the true backbone of our coastal communities. We see you, we honor you, and we carry your legacy forward with pride. The work of community-based fisheries continues in your spirit. Every time we advocate for local ownership, responsible management, and opportunities for women to lead in science, policy, and on the water, we carry on the story you started. Your legacy lives in every woman who takes the helm, every family that stays connected to the ocean, and every community that unites for a more equitable and resilient future. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Michelle Stratton

Fisheries Scientist/Director

Jamie O’Connor

Deputy Executive Director