PRESS RELEASE 3/21/26

Sail Her Dreams Featured on CAN TV’s ‘Making Waves’ to Kick Off 2026 Season

CHICAGO, IL – Sail Her Dreams, a woman-led organization dedicated to empowering young women through the convergence of maritime skills and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education, is proud to announce its upcoming 2026 season featured on CAN TV’s ‘Making Waves’. Under the leadership of founder and Executive Director Erica Trejo, the organization is set to host a series of summer apprenticeships, community cleanups, and public art exhibitions designed to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards and industry leaders.

Founded on the values of conservation, innovation, and youth voices, Sail Her Dreams operates out of Montrose Harbor. The program intentionally addresses the historic underrepresentation of women in maritime and STEM fields by transforming Lake Michigan into a floating classroom.

“There is a lot of physics and science involved, a lot of engineering that you need to start thinking about with the shape of the sails, how the boat moves on the water. It’s not just with an engine, it’s with the power of the wind,” said Erica Trejo during the recent interview on CAN TV’s Making Waves. "We're not teaching it in a classroom; we're teaching it on the water.”

2026 Program Highlights:

● Sail Her Dreams is a STEM Academy for girls between the ages 10-18. This six week-long sailing adventure introduces girls to a whole new world, fostering personal growth and development. Sail Her Dreams is now offered through After School Matters. Monday through Thursday 9am-4pm. Students will learn how to sail, maneuver and operate a 24-foot sailboat.

● "Where Wings Meet Water” Art Exhibit: A free public exhibit running from April 19th to April 30th that explores the vital connection between bird migration and water habitat conservation.

● Earth Day & Mother Nature’s Day Cleanups: A community-led harbor cleanups scheduled for Earth Day (April 22nd) and Mother’s Day weekend, continuing the organization's mission to remove debris, from cigarette butts to submerged bicycles, from Chicago’s waterways.

"If they could walk away with anything, maybe they walked away... thinking about how we can make our lakes cleaner," Trejo added.

For more information on seasonal programs, or to register for Sail Her Dreams, please visit our "Events" and "Sail Her Dreams" pages.

Media Contact:

Bianca Kreusel

Community Engagement Specialist Intern

Website: greatlakessailing.us