Founded in 1978, SSLA is the only non-profit organization in the United States that provides professional development through networking, education, and mentorship of women from all the primary maritime Services – the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Our annual Joint Women’s Leadership Symposium (JWLS) is the largest gathering of servicewomen in the nation and is the premier professional and personal development conference for women in the uniformed services. In addition to female and male attendees representing the five Armed Services (U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Coast Guard), it is open to all services, men and women from the National Guard, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and the U.S. Public Health Service, as well as civil servants and veterans.

JWLS traditionally rotates between fleet concentration areas and previous locations over past years include Washington D.C., Norfolk, Va., and San Diego, Ca. JWLS attendance ranges in size from 900-1500 attendees dependent on the hosting location and regularly has representatives from various allied countries, including Canada, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, South Korea, and more in attendance. In past years, prominent media outlets including C-SPAN televised several speeches and panels live.

In addition, we host an annual transitioning seminar and reading room at JWLS where we bring together the most inspiring and impactful authors and film producers.

Former JWLS participants include former White House Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers, movie actress Geena Davis, and numerous four-star flag and general officers.