Oarswoman: A Story of Rowing, the Coast Guard, and Making Your Mark

The inspiring story of one of the pioneering female graduates of the United States Coast Guard Academy who returns to the academy—and the water— that delves into the hear of the mysteries of athletic competition and the hunger to win.

In the fall of 1977, Anne Flammang enrolled at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, a member of just the second class to admit women as cadets. Unsurprisingly, it was very much a man’s world, in which she and her female classmates struggled for recognition while being treated as second class citizens by classmates and officers alike. Women’s athletics were also new to the Academy, but eventually, Anne found her way to the boathouse and the crew team. There she found female camaraderie and teammates who challenged themselves and each other.

Being a woman officer in the Coast Guard brought similar obstacles; Anne had to work awfully hard to earn the respect of the men in her command (some of whom openly told her they were uncomfortable reporting to a woman) as well as superior officers. Determined to help other young women who were following in her wake, Anne returned to the Coast Guard Academy after completing her graduate studies to teach English and to coach women’s crew, guiding a new generation through ongoing prejudices.

In The Oarswoman, Flammang brings us the stories of young women with big hearts and strong backs working together to overcome the challenges they faced – on the water, in the military, in competition, in their ambitions. It is the story of a woman coming into her own as a coach, leader, and mentor, all while discovering that just like with crew, individual success is dependent on that of the team. Their ultimate triumphs are a testament to what women can and have achieved in spite of the institutions and individuals who have tried to hold them back.

Filled with emotional suspense and intense competition, this vivid narrative brings us to the very core of the art of rowing and what it means to live a life of service.