SSLA was established in 1978. It is currently the only non-profit organization in the United States dedicated to providing professional development through networking, education, and mentorship of women. SSLA is a national non-profit and non-political organization. SSLA is an officially recognized affinity group for the sea services, and continually advises the services about issues affecting Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel and their families. So by joining SSLA your voice can make a difference!We continue to value our partnerships with the Coast Guard's Gender Policy Advisors and the Navy's Women's Policy Office to bring you the most up to date news, information, and networking opportunities throughout the two Services. We are also partnered with the United States Marine Corps' Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity Management Branch and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Women's Association (NOAAWA) to ensure we are truly reaching out to our entire sister sea services.SSLA holds a Joint Women's Leadership Symposium each year, which will give you an opportunity to meet with hundreds of fellow service women – as this is the largest gathering of women in uniform nationwide! The symposium provides you an opportunity to focus in on your leadership development, while also highlighting the achievements of women leaders who are in our front lines across the globe. We encourage you to use this time to network with leaders and peers and to take the knowledge you gain at this forum back to your commands to share with your colleagues and friends.