Background
Originally established in the United States in 1950, the Women’s International Motorcycle Association (WIMA) is a motorcycle association created for female riders. Founded by Louise Scherbyn, it has expanded its branches to several other countries outside the United States which includes Australia, Great Britain, and New Zealand. Its first vice international vice president was Theresa Wallach from Britain. It is currently the largest motorcycle association for women all over the world, also the first to recognize women in the motorcycle world and it has branches in over 25 countries.
Concept
The concept for WIMA was borne when in the 1930s, Louise Scherbyn discovered she had an undying passion for riding motorcycles and was also a constant bike passenger. She soon got herself a 1932 Indian Scout Motorcycle which she rode thousands of miles across the United States and Canada; she later acquired a 1940 Indian Scout Motorcycle which is still on exhibition in Massachusetts (Springfield Museum). She was therefore inspired to create an association that will bring together female bike enthusiasts for networking and chasing a common goal which in turn gave birthed the Women's International Motorcycle Association (WIMA). In her days, she was associate editor of one of America’s forefront motorcycle publication known as BUZZZZ and she was also an active member of several other motoring clubs.
Aims & Objectives
- To improve and promote motorcycling activities among women
- To establish friendship and goodwill amongst female motorcycle enthusiasts from over the world
- To promote the well-being of women motorcyclists worldwide.
Co-Founders
Theresa Wallach
A British racer, author, mechanic, and engineer; Theresa Wallach was the first Vice-President and also a co-founder of WIMA. As a true adventurer, she rode with her close friend Florence Blenkeron in 1934 – 1935 to different parts of the world. They rode to several parts of Europe and Africa on a 600 cc single-cylinder panther with a trailer and a sidecar; they took off from London and ended at Cape Town, South Africa. Records had it that she was the first female to serve in the British Army as a motorcycle dispatcher and she rode motorcycles till she was 88.
Ellen Pfeiffer
An active racer and also a co-founder of WIMA, Ellen Pfeiffer led the German division of WIMA for 25 years in which an award was crafted in her name. Every year, outstanding members of WIMA are coffered with the Ellen Pfeiffer prestigious award.
WIMA NEW ZEALAND
The New Zealand WIMA division was officially established in 1984 but was formally run from Rotorua as WIMA Australasia in the 1950s. The WIMA NZ has a membership strength of about 500 people of which about 50 are paid up members. While most of the members live in the big cities like Auckland and wellington, others reside in the North, South and Stewart Islands. The ‘Pink Ribbon Ride’, one of the biggest national rides organised by WIMA in New Zealand, and it attracts over 1000 riders annually has succeeded in raising over $100,000 for breast cancer research. Janice Millman is the current National President WIMA, New Zealand.