This year’s special edition of World Oceans Day on 8 June linked the themes of gender equality and ocean preservation. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the international community to “promote gender equality and the rights of women and girls as a crucial contribution to meeting ocean challenges."

“Women and men, girls and boys, are directly linked to the ocean,” comments Ocean Networks Canada’s (ONC) President and CEO Kate Moran. “As the late US President John F. Kennedy said: ‘All of us have in our veins the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean. We are tied to the ocean.’ This synergy brings with it a responsibility to know and protect the 70% of the planet that is our ocean. Supporting women and girls to be scientists, engineers, and leaders not only brings a balanced approach, but also grows the complement of smart, strong, and dedicated people in ocean intelligence.”

ONC is honoured to have the following accomplished, passionate, strong women leaders on our Board of Directors, who bring a wealth of diverse experience and expertise to our organization.

The ocean science community benefits from having two esteemed ocean leaders at the helm, Kate Moran at ONC and Sylvia Earle at Mission Blue.

Two inspiring ocean visionaries & leaders embrace at today's #G7Oceans. Her Deepness @SylviaEarle hugs @Ocean_Networks CEO @katemoran in appreciation for Kate's inspiring presentation at today's #G7Halifax. The power of ocean tech & #opendata to help us #knowtheocean. #OceanSci pic.twitter.com/KDFYKlVZlt

— Ocean Networks Canada (@Ocean_Networks) September 20, 2018

How did you celebrate World Oceans Day? Who are your female role models and leaders? Share your thoughts, photos and inspiration with us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.