Name: Lis Morgan
City, State of Residence: Washington, D.C.
Age: 43
Profession: Recreation Grant Program Manager at NPS and Rowing Coach for DC Strokes Rowing Club
Website: www.dcstrokes.org and www.stonewallregatta.org
In a few words, how would you describe yourself?
Committed, loyal, hard working, and patient.
Your favorite hangout spots.
The Anacostia Community Boathouse, Nellie’s Sports Bar, most restaurants in the Capitol Hill area, and my house.
Favorite guilty pleasure.
Good wine. I would drink a lot more of it if I were not training and having to get up early for practice.
Favorite quote.
“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” —Seneca the Younger
Who is your biggest influence? And why?
I don’t have any one person I would choose to single out. I have met many great people through rowing, work, schooling, etc. I like having lots of role models.
Favorite event.
The Stonewall Regatta, of which I am a founding organizer. The DC Strokes decided to create the event when the 1994 Gay Games host dropped rowing from their sport line-up. The DC Strokes was only three years old at the time, and we were really dismayed that there would be no opportunity for us to row at the Games. We decided to organize a regatta in New York as sort of an exhibition event and named it Stonewall in honor of the riots – 1994 having been the 25th anniversary. Organizing the regatta from D.C. was a challenge but somehow it came together, with over 100 people coming from all over to compete. The following year we brought the regatta to D.C., and the club has hosted it each year since. Although the regatta is open to everyone, we advertise it as a celebration of GLBT participation in rowing. June 1, 2014 we will host our 21st Stonewall Regatta. I never imagined it would keep going this long.
Do you have any regrets in life?
Not getting enough sleep.
Favorite lesbian celebrity.
Ellen.
Any fun facts or anything else you want our readers to know?
My other big springtime activity besides regatta planning is teaching rowing classes through the DC Strokes. These are open to everyone. We get a wide range of ages from early 20s to 60s, and different sporting backgrounds, including people who have never participated in any kind of sport activity at all. I enjoy working with beginners. The people who come out to try rowing are often fun to meet. The club is always looking for new members, particularly women. People with rowing backgrounds are of course most welcome too!
