Women's International Motorcycle Association

WIMA
AbbreviationWIMA
Founded1950
FounderLouise Scherbyn
Founded atUnited States
TypeAssociation
Region
Worldwide
International President
Zara Strange (2020)
Key people
Louise Scherbyn - Founder
Websitewww.wimaworld.com

The Women's International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) is a motorcycle club established by Louise Scherbyn[1] in 1950 in the United States.[2] Branches began in many countries, including Great Britain (Theresa Wallach was the first international vice president)[3] and Australia[4] where the branch was started by Hazel Mayes.[5] It was the first organization to recognize all women in the sport,[6] and the first ever stand-alone women-led motorcycle association.[7] Currently spanning 39 countries,[8] it is purportedly the largest motorcycle association for women in the world.[9] The group is known for organising annual "Pink Ribbon Rides" to raise awareness for breast cancer.[10]

  1. ^ some history at wimaworld.com
  2. ^ some more history at wimagb.co.uk
  3. ^ Theresa Wallach page at motorcyclemuseum.org
  4. ^ True Pioneers, American Motorcyclist Jun 2006 (Vol 60 No 6, P52) ISSN 0277-9358
  5. ^ Hazel Mayes page at wimaworld.com
  6. ^ Making Her Mark: Firsts and Milestones in Women's Sports. Ernestine G. Miller. McGraw-Hill Professional, 29 May 2002 ISBN 978-0071390538
  7. ^ McKay, Linda Back; Vogl, Kate St Vincent (2023). Iron horse cowgirls: Louise Scherbyn and the women motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4766-6946-5.
  8. ^ List of international groups at wimaworld.com
  9. ^ Motorcycle. Steven E. Alford, Suzanne Ferriss. Reaktion Books, 3 Jan 2008 ISBN 9781861893451
  10. ^ "'Pinked out' motorbike convoy raises breast cancer awareness". Stuff. 15 October 2017.