Breast Cancer Awareness Month at St Julian`s Maritime Finance

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 7.8 million women worldwide were diagnosed with breast cancer between 2015 and the end of 2020, making it the world's most common malignancy.

Breast cancer treatment can be highly effective when detected early, with odds of survival approaching 90% or higher.

This text is dedicated to all women who are currently battling this deadly disease, to those who lost their battle, and to all of us as a reminder that prevention is essential.

Women have always been courageous, shown by the text below.

Famous Female Mariners in History

Historically, the marine sector has been a male-dominated industry, and women's involvement has been limited for a variety of reasons, including socio-cultural barriers. Men outnumber women in the yachting profession today as well, but, although there were some exceptionally brave women at the time.

Meet the most famous and brave female mariners in history.

Viking women received navigation and archery training, and some even took up arms.

Lagertha, a Viking shieldmaiden, ruled in what is now Norway in the 9th century AD and was the first wife of Ragnar Lothbrok, King of the Vikings, according to the chronicle Gesta Danorum. Despite subsequently marrying Thora, Ragnar sought Lagertha's help when he experienced obstacles in life. She played a key role in the fight, offering 120 ships to the man "who had left her": Lagertha, who "had an indomitable spirit, though frail in stature," surprised the enemy from behind, generating fear and assisting Ragnar to victory.

Photo source: Wikipedia

During the Napoleonic Wars, women known as "Widow Women" took on the role of captains' wives, directing the ship's day-to-day operations while their husband was away.

Jeanne de Clisson was a 14th century Bretton noblewoman who is best known for her 13 year career as a pirate and privateer in the English Channel.

Born from the upper aristocracy of a northern French area, she vowed vengeance on France for her husband's execution, which was sanctioned by King Philip VI personally. During her naval campaign, she earned the nickname "Lioness of Brittany. News of her husband's death brought great rage in Jeanne de Clisson. She soon sold all belongings, raising enough money to build her infamous "Black Fleet." In 1343, she began assaulting French ships in the English Channel in order to exact revenge on the French nobles, troops, and King Philip VI.

Grace O'Malley was an outstanding Irish leader who successfully defended her territories against both the English government and hostile Irish clans. She was one of the first documented female pirates, born into a clan in Western Ireland in the 16th century. She rose to power as the commander of a fleet of twenty ships that raided English and Spanish ships. In 1574, Grace O'Malley withstood a siege on a castle she held before being arrested and imprisoned for her achievements.

She was released and returned to the sea, where she resumed her piracy until her fleet was impounded near the end of the century. At the age of 63, Grace O'Malley requested an audience with Queen Elizabeth, whom she persuaded to release her ships.

Skipper Thuridur.

Born in 1777, is one of the world's first female sailors and a legendary fishing captain in Iceland who overcame the treacherous North Atlantic waters. Thuridur is considered as a skilled captain capable of sailing in all maritime conditions, having sailed for 60 years without losing a single crew member.  Her abilities in all parts of sailing, particularly rowing and steering of big wooden open boats, made her one of the world's most efficient fishing captains.

Krystyna Chojnowska-Liskiewicz was the first woman to sail solo around the world in 1976. When the United Nations announced 1975 International Women's Year, the Polish Sailing Association devised an intriguing strategy to promote Polish sailing: sending a Polish woman on a solo sailing adventure across the world! Krystyna set out on her journey.

These are only a few of the female captains we have chosen from among the many outstanding women who have made their mark in maritime industry.

In addition, we know that there are lovely and brave moms, wives, and sisters all around us who will benefit from our support.

Never, ever give up!

St Julian’s Maritime Finance Limited Your Yacht Leasing Partner!

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*St Julian's Maritime Finance is a limited liability company, registration number C 87317, regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority (MFSA) under the Financial Institutions Act (Cap. 376 of The Laws of Malta) and authorised to carry out services of financial leasing, bearing MFSA Authorisation ID: SJMF-FILI-16904