Sally Helme was a visionary leader who championed equality, empowerment and excellence.  Her journey began as a spirited young woman from Shelter Island, New York on the Eastern end of Long Island.  She was a member of the Princeton University sailing team where she graduated in 1975 with a Degree in History and Biology/History of Science.  She later earned a master’s degree in management from Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island.  As the first female publisher in the sailing industry, Sally’s tenure at two widely read and respected sailing magazines reshaped the narrative.  She believed in the power of representation, advocating for positive depictions of women: captains, crew and adventurers, across glossy pages.  Through captivating photos and insightful articles, she illuminated the challenges, triumphs and sheer joy of life on the water.

In 1994, Sally Helme joined the New York Times Magazine Group as an Associate Publisher.  Her responsibilities included two iconic sailing titles:  Cruising World and Sailing World magazines.  She led both publications until her retirement in 2023.

Sally understood that sailing offered freedom, confidence of the individual, and the bonds created by the people who spent time together at sea.  She was a leader of Sail Newport, served as president of Sail America and was a founding member of International Women in Boating, a marine industry professional development organization for women.  She worked alongside National Sailing Hall of Fame Inductee Doris Colgate to create the industry’s Take the Helm series of women’s educational and networking events.  She served as Vice President of Marine Marketers of America.  Sally Helme was also the Chair of the National Sailing Hall of Fame Selection Committee when she passed away in Newport – the city she called home.

Her sailing career began in small one design boats and often as skipper of her family’s Bristol ’34, Typhoon out of the Shelter Island Yacht Club where her family spent summers.  Sally served as the Sailing Director of the club’s junior program during her college summers.  In 1971, she graduated from the Agnes Irwin School of Villanova, Pa. where she was also the editor of her class yearbook.  She was an excellent student and adept at working with people.

Sally knew how to collaborate with others and fix problems.  She understood that integrity in publishing was paramount and kept a brick wall between the editorial and advertising departments.  In 1993, when the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society established a fundraising initiative to support blood cancer research, Sally signed on to help by using her publications to advance the mission.  Over a 25-year period, $66 million dollars was raised to provide funds for cancer researchers.

Sally Helme was a leader in the marine industry and the sport of sailing.  Her spirit, resilience and unwavering belief in the transformative power of sailing has left an important legacy.

~ Gary Jobson