Columbia River Women’s Caucus

07/23/2026

Our members have been up to some pretty incredible things these last few weeks. This post as well as the next few are going to highlight them. Pictured above is tugboat operator Megan Emerson getting recognition for an absolutely incredible feat of heroism that included her acute situational awareness that led to the saving of two lives. Here’s what happened:

“We found two sport fishermen with their overturned skiff in the John Day Pool. It was about 1 am and they’d been in the water since 7pm. I didn’t see the boat on the radar, so I only noticed them because I heard one screaming for help through the wheelhouse window.

I got everyone up, the rest of the crew did an amazing job of mustering for an emergency and pulled them aboard. I was sure they’d go into shock, but the deckhands gave them their clothes and warmed them up and kept them talking until we could get to Boardman where the fire department met us with a paramedic. They were treated and recovered enough to get a ride back to their truck.” - Megan Emerson

It’s clear that if Megan hadn’t heard those cries, those folks very well may not be here today. You are a rockstar Megan! This river is so lucky to have you. Megan Emerson

Women on Tugboats Sea Sisters

06/30/2026

We posted this on our story a few nights ago but we wanted to highlight this awesome and rare moment again : pictured are 3 out of our 4 members (our lovely Megan was on the water with us, just a little farther away 💙) all working right next to each other on three different boats. Photo 1 is of Sasha operating, photo 2 captures the vessel Alyssa was sailing on, and photo 3 is from Hannah’s POV on the third vessel. This was the first time any of us had experienced something like that and we hope to have many more moments where we’re sharing waterways, jobs, and sunsets together.

Women on Tugboats Sea Sisters

06/25/2026

Wishing you a very happy Day of the Seafarer (established by IMO in 2010 to highlight the unique and typically unseen contributions seafarers make globally) to all and especially to our tugboat brothers and sisters who are indeed the backbone of global trade. Pictured are a few of the sunrises and sunsets from just this last week on the Columbia River. Keep it up and stay safe! -💙 CRWC

06/19/2026

Girls’ night on the Columbia! 😋💙

06/17/2026

We are so honored and excited to be featured in WorkBoat magazine! Please give this article a read, written by the awesome Ben Hayden. WorkBoat, thanks for giving our organization this platform and thank you for taking the time to get to know us!

On the Columbia River, one of the most demanding stretches of commercial waterway in the American West, a small but growing group of women is quietly rewriting what the industry looks like.  &nbs

06/02/2026

Thank you so much to Centennial High School for having us today! We love sharing what we do with local students as well as educating our local communities about this sector of the maritime industry and how they can get involved. We are looking forward to more visits, presentations, and community events up and down our river! Thanks again Eagles!

05/31/2026

Here’s a recent photo that is very special for a couple of reasons:

1. It was captured by our own Megan Emerson.
2. Our own Sasha LaGreide is operating that tug.
3. Sasha’s first ride-along was on that ship with Rebecca Henderson as the pilot: “2 years ago almost to the date I met Rebecca Henderson, and took my first ship ride with her. What a special job today to be on the other side of the same move.” - Capt Sasha LaGreide

We love full circles around here - especially when our sisters on the river are the ones creating them.

05/23/2026

Happy (belated) International Maritime Day from all of us at Columbia River Women’s Caucus! Here’s our favorite tug operators Sasha and Megan, President and Treasurer of CRWC. Wishing you all a safe weekend wherever you may be sailing. ⚓️

05/19/2026

For this International Women in Maritime Day we wanted to highlight just a few of the women who have inspired us to keep following our dreams, held us up when we were down, and rejoiced in our triumphs as we moved through the industry. These are women of extreme grace and strength and we are thankful for you!

💙⚓️ : Happy International Women in Maritime Day to Christine — a SEAPA pilot who is always willing to help, give honest advice, and dig into the regulations when someone needs answers. ⚓️💜

From incredible bystander intervention trainings to mentoring others in the industry, Christine is smart, generous, direct, and deeply respected by the people around her. We’re so grateful for everything she does to help make our industry safer and stronger for everyone. 💙💙💙

💙⚓️Rebecca Henderson: From Sasha - Rebecca took me on one of my very first COLRIP ride-alongs and has continued to be someone I can call when I need advice, perspective, or just encouragement to keep pushing forward in this industry. That kind of mentorship matters more than most people realize.

Thank you for everything you’ve done for women in maritime, for the Columbia River, and for the next generation coming up behind you. Your impact reaches farther than you probably know.

Fair winds in retirement, Rebecca. ⚓️

💙⚓️ : From Hannah - I would not be here today without you, Elizabeth. You have created a community that is instrumental to that which binds us women together. I’ve met some of my best friends because of you and simultaneously you have become one of my best friends. I love you so much. Thank you for demonstrating what is possible. You’re the strongest woman I know.