How did a fifteen-year-old school drop out with no qualifications end up breaking world records and stereotypes, becoming the first skipper of an all-female crew in the world’s toughest yacht race and inspiring millions around the world?

After turbulent teenage years, while working in bars and on boats Tracy found her passion for sailing and navigation and fought for every opportunity to gain experience and sailing miles; but that was not enough, she had bigger dreams. She then announced her audacious plan to take on the men with first ever all-female crew in the 89/90 Whitbread Round the World Race. With everything on the line, including mortgaging her home to buy a ‘wreck of a boat’ she called ‘Maiden’, she faced obstacles, derision, prejudice, sexism and very negative press. She proved her critics wrong on every front, not only by getting Maiden to the start line, but winning two of the toughest legs and coming second overall. Maiden enabled Tracy to find her place in the universe and they both became synonymous with proving that anyone could turn their dream into reality.

Her inspirational exploits earned her an MBE as well as becoming the first woman to receive the ‘Yachtsman of the Year’ trophy and although Maiden was sold after the race Tracy went on to break other sailing records, wrote several books and forged a shoreside career as an influential speaker and active charity ambassador.

Fast forward to 2014 when Tracy learned that Maiden had been abandoned in the Seychelles and knew that she had to save her and set about raising funds to buy her and bring her back to the UK. In 2018 after a two-year restoration Maiden, returned to her former glory, embarked on a world tour with a new all-female crew, to raise awareness and funds for girls’ education.

Gender inequality still exists in many societies around the world; girls and women face countless obstacles on a daily basis simply because they were born female. Poverty, illiteracy, minority status, disability, early marriage and pregnancy, as well as cultural attitudes about the status and role of girls and women are barriers that negatively impact on them throughout their lives.

Together again with Maiden, Tracy continues her battle for equality for the next generation, working with and supporting communities around the world to ensure that girls have access to education, and the support to complete it, increasing their life choices so that they may build better futures for themselves, their families and communities.

“Maiden changed my life and now she can help change the lives of girls who are not in education. An estimated 130 million girls worldwide are denied an education, we cannot sit back and watch another generation’s future disappear.” Tracy Edwards MBE commented. “Now more than ever this work is vital; losing out on an education if one of the biggest drivers of gender inequality and after Covid-19 disadvantaged and vulnerable girls are the most likely to be unable to return to the classroom or even access an education” she added.

Maiden’s world tour came to an abrupt halt in March 2020 because of the pandemic, but as soon as she can safely resume her journey, Tracy and Maiden will continue to spearhead this essential work. The plan is to sail at least 150,000 miles over three years, visiting upwards of 60 destinations in more than 30 countries to work with and support communities which enable girls into education and empower and support them to remain throughout their teenage years.

Every mile matters! The more miles we can sail means the more girls and more community programmes we can help and support.

A new crowdfunder campaign has been set up to raise funds to ‘Keep Maiden Moving!’ – all donations will help make a difference to lives of hundreds of thousands of girls – with unique Maiden rewards as a thank you, including personalised messages, VIP events and even having your name on Maiden. https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/my-maiden-voyage

Thirty years on from the Whitbread which made both Tracy and Maiden famous, the legendary pair have become so much more than the sum of their parts; sailing, mentoring and encouraging young (and older) female sailors, inspiring and empowering women and girls. A formidable team actively promoting gender equality and raising awareness of how crucial it is for all girls to have access to a quality education. https://www.themaidenfactor.org

Tracy Edwards’ TED talk: go.ted.com/tracyedwards – a brand new series of TED talks online, with Tracy leading the way as the first speaker in the series.