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RTLI Founders, America³ America’s Cup All-Women’s Team Members Linda Lindquist and Katie Pettibone; Inspiring and Advocating for Opportunity for 30 Years

Rising Tide Leadership Institute Co-Founders, Linda Lindquist and Katie Pettibone met when they were selected for the first all-women’s sailing team to compete for the 1995 America’s Cup; it was a banner year for women reaching high places:

• The United Nations 4th Women’s World Conference in Beijing was shifting the world view on women’s rights and issues.
• Eileen Collins became the first female pilot of a Space Shuttle on February 3, 1995, during the STS-63 mission. This historic flight marked a significant milestone in NASA’s efforts to promote gender equality in space exploration.
• On April 3, 1995, Sandra Day O'Connor made history by presiding over the Supreme Court, marking a significant moment in U.S. judicial history. As the first woman to serve on the Court, her leadership represented a breakthrough for gender equality in the legal profession.

• On January 13, 1995, an all-female team participated in the America’s Cup sailing competition for the first time, marking a significant milestone in the sport’s history.

There were equal parts positive momentum and high pressure as this team became a focal point for women’s achievement worldwide. Everyone knew that their campaign was about more than a sailing trophy… no matter how prestigious.

The A³ team certainly knew that an all-women’s team competing against all-men’s teams for the oldest trophy in sport would make history. But it wasn’t until young girls began to wait outside their compound gate in San Diego for their autographs and women from all over the world began sending words of encouragement that they realized that they were inspiring women across many sectors to pursue bigger lives and to live out their own dreams without gender limits. 

After the 1995 America’s Cup, Katie and Linda’s successes in high-performance, high-tech sailing competitions continued to equip them for organizational excellence and leadership roles in their non-sailing, male-dominated career fields. They asked themselves “how can we empower girls and women through our sport?”

(Below): Some of the MIGHTY MARY team members saw the film for the first time at the Nantucket Film Festival!

ABOUT THE FILM:

This team was groundbreaking, beginning with an advertisement in the New York Times (prompting hilarious responses from a wide swath of Americana who thought they might have what it takes to sail in the America’s Cup, including a woman flexing in a bikini next to a cactus).  From there, a group of world class and Olympic sailors as well as Olympic rowers came together, a team which included a deaf sailor, a Native Hawaiian sailor, and the first African American sailor to ever win an America’s Cup race (as a coach of this novice, erstwhile team).  What was dismissed as a publicity stunt turned into something unimaginable. This motley crew (sailing aboard Mighty Mary) stunningly eliminated Stars & Stripes from contention, helmed by 4-time America’s Cup winner, Dennis Conner (“Mr. America’s Cup”). However, a secret backroom deal the night before the race upended that result. This is a true underdog story about a team which reshaped what could be possible in a sport that had long been inaccessible.

Winner of the Maria Mitchell Visionary Award at the 2026 Nantucket Film Festival, the film will open theatrically across the country on September 11, 2026. And amazingly, on Sept 21, 2026, the America’s Cup itself will usher in the 38th running of the Cup in Naples, Italy with a signature event featuring Mighty Mary.

Experience the Inspiration: MIGHTY MARY, is coming to a theatre near you!