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comprised of white males, and the need to come up to speed very different if I hadn’t responded to that monster job posting. I quickly. Like many other women on the water, one place that think it is much easier to get into the industry if they go to a mar- she turned to for answers was the Women’s International itime academy. Even if they don’t want a sea-going career, an

Shipping & Trading Association (WISTA). WISTA provided academy degree is highly valued for in any maritime company.” a place to network, a source for mentors and advice, and a Matson has always taken pride in being stewards of the envi- voice in the industry. And, in Swanson’s case, some of those ronment, but the road to their current reputation as one of the connections led to working with high students and encourag- greenest shipping ? rms in the supply chain hasn’t always been ing them in engineering and maritime careers. Swanson at- easy. Like most shipping ? rms, Matson has had experienced its tends the SoCal chapter meetings and often hosts them at her bumps along the way. That said; when Swanson was tasked with of? ce at Pier C, but hasn’t yet assumed a leadership position. putting together an application for the U.S. Coast Guard’s Ben-

Swanson talks about her own experiences, saying, “It is kert Award for Environmental Excellence – for many, the pin- no longer uncommon to see female longshoreman and crew- nacle of recognition in terms of maritime environmental excel- members, but they still are de? nitely a minority.” In terms of lence – it turned out that Matson had a very good story to tell. In expediting opportunities for women in the maritime industry, Swanson, they also had a very good messenger. Matson won the

Swanson says that the most important thing is outreach and award in 2006 and then again in 2012, in no small part thanks to making them aware as to what the opportunities are. Putting Swanson’s efforts in documenting the ? rm’s compliance record.

action to words, she last month attended the Port of Long About the effort, Swanson says simply, “On a professional lev-

Beach’s 6th annual Celebrating Women in Trade Luncheon. el, it profoundly affected my acceptance into the Matson Ohana.” “It is a fantastic opportunity to expose young women to all the We looked up the de? nition of ‘ohana’ and came upon this simple different types of careers available in the industry.” description: “Ohana: the idea that family and friends are bound

As to what she would tell other women trying to enter the mar- together and everyone must work together and not forget each itime industry, she says, “Like everything in life, you won’t get other.” That sounds like Swanson, Matson and WISTA; all rolled anywhere if you don’t try. My career certainly would’ve been into one neat package. If so, the waterfront is in good hands.

Swanson on board showing two of Matson’s most signi? cant green initiatives; shorepower reel and the greentainer (where all garbage except food scraps are placed). Matson had been doing this for 15 years before

Marpol annex V was amended to mandate this worldwide.

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