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Author Topic:   R.I.P. Molly Kool

elaelap posted 03-08-2009 11:36 AM ET (US)
Another pioneer. When Molly was born, women were still unable to vote in federal and most state elections in the United States (but not Canada, her homeland), let alone become a licensed master mariner. We've come a long way.
Rest in peace, Molly.

BANGOR, Maine -- (AP) -- Molly K. Carney, who as Molly Kool was the first woman in North America to become a licensed ship captain, has died at her home at the age of 93.
Known in Canada by her maiden name, Molly Kool won her captain's papers in 1939 and sailed the Atlantic Ocean between Alma, New Brunswick, and Boston for five years, her friend Ken Kelly said.
Kool grew up in the village of Alma, where she learned a love of the sea and sailing from her father, a Dutch ship captain. At 23, she made history by earning the title of captain after the Canadian Shipping Act was rewritten to say ''he/she'' instead of just ''he,'' Kelly said.
She overcame superstitions about women working at sea and won the respect of her male counterparts as she sailed her father's 70-foot boat in the dangerous waters of the Bay of Fundy, said Mary Majka, who joined Kelly in a fundraising effort to pay to move her ancestral home from Alma to a knoll in nearby Fundy National Park overlooking the bay this spring.
''She was good enough that she won the respect of the old salts,'' Majka said.
Kool left New Brunswick after marrying Ray Blaisdell, of Bucksport, Maine, in 1944. They were together for 20 years before he died. In the 1960s, she married businessman John Carney, who bought her a boat, which he dubbed the Molly Kool.
In her final years, she lived in an independent retirement community in Bangor, where there was a lighthouse and a captain's wheel in the hallway outside her room and where residents called her Captain Molly, Kelly said. She died there Feb. 25

seabob4 posted 03-08-2009 07:05 PM ET (US)
R.I.P., hopefully at sea...
john10 posted 03-08-2009 08:57 PM ET (US)
This is the kind of person that puts most of us to shame... thanks for sharing this story.
lizard posted 03-08-2009 09:16 PM ET (US)
Tony- Great story and great woman it seems. Thanks for posting this.
chopbuster posted 03-10-2009 12:51 PM ET (US)
A parting glass to a Great Lass, Molly Kool.
Great name for any boat.
elaelap posted 03-10-2009 01:22 PM ET (US)
Great minds, c.b.--I was thinking exactly the same thing about naming my next boat 'Molly Kool.'
Tony
chopbuster posted 03-10-2009 03:17 PM ET (US)
Picking up my new 150 Montauk next week, I'm keeping that name in mind as well.

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Author	Topic: R.I.P. Molly Kool
elaelap	posted 03-08-2009 11:36 AM ET (US) Another pioneer. When Molly was born, women were still unable to vote in federal and most state elections in the United States (but not Canada, her homeland), let alone become a licensed master mariner. We've come a long way. Rest in peace, Molly. BANGOR, Maine -- (AP) -- Molly K. Carney, who as Molly Kool was the first woman in North America to become a licensed ship captain, has died at her home at the age of 93. Known in Canada by her maiden name, Molly Kool won her captain's papers in 1939 and sailed the Atlantic Ocean between Alma, New Brunswick, and Boston for five years, her friend Ken Kelly said. Kool grew up in the village of Alma, where she learned a love of the sea and sailing from her father, a Dutch ship captain. At 23, she made history by earning the title of captain after the Canadian Shipping Act was rewritten to say ''he/she'' instead of just ''he,'' Kelly said. She overcame superstitions about women working at sea and won the respect of her male counterparts as she sailed her father's 70-foot boat in the dangerous waters of the Bay of Fundy, said Mary Majka, who joined Kelly in a fundraising effort to pay to move her ancestral home from Alma to a knoll in nearby Fundy National Park overlooking the bay this spring. ''She was good enough that she won the respect of the old salts,'' Majka said. Kool left New Brunswick after marrying Ray Blaisdell, of Bucksport, Maine, in 1944. They were together for 20 years before he died. In the 1960s, she married businessman John Carney, who bought her a boat, which he dubbed the Molly Kool. In her final years, she lived in an independent retirement community in Bangor, where there was a lighthouse and a captain's wheel in the hallway outside her room and where residents called her Captain Molly, Kelly said. She died there Feb. 25
seabob4	posted 03-08-2009 07:05 PM ET (US) R.I.P., hopefully at sea...
john10	posted 03-08-2009 08:57 PM ET (US) This is the kind of person that puts most of us to shame... thanks for sharing this story.
lizard	posted 03-08-2009 09:16 PM ET (US) Tony- Great story and great woman it seems. Thanks for posting this.
chopbuster	posted 03-10-2009 12:51 PM ET (US) A parting glass to a Great Lass, Molly Kool. Great name for any boat.
elaelap	posted 03-10-2009 01:22 PM ET (US) Great minds, c.b.--I was thinking exactly the same thing about naming my next boat 'Molly Kool.' Tony
chopbuster	posted 03-10-2009 03:17 PM ET (US) Picking up my new 150 Montauk next week, I'm keeping that name in mind as well.