International Web Manager, 2008-2011
We have not been able to reach Satu to complete her profile
Tag: people
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Lynn Haag
International Web Manager, 2007-2008
We have not been able to reach Lynn to complete her profile
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Susan Wood
International Web Manager, 2004-2007
We have not been able to reach Susan to complete her profile
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Rowena Inzani
International Web Manager, 2001-2004
I first heard of WIMA ‘The Motorcycle Club for Women’ back in 1984/5 at the excellent Women’s Motorcycle Workshop in London run by Anna Zee. It was here that I was learning how to look after my first ‘big’ bike, a Moto Guzzi V50, and discovering the wonderful world of motorcycling ‘sisters, doing it for themselves’ (Annie Lennox, 1985, google it!). I became a keen member attending many rallies, runs, meetings and events in the UK and abroad.
The international rally was as regular an annual fixture as I could make it, and I did many memorable trips from Hungary 1988 on my Kawasaki GPX750 to 2000 when I was able to get to both Finland (on my all-time favourite bike Ducati 750SS) and Australia (car, sadly).
I was a WIMA GB committee member for many years, first as treasurer then newsletter editor. In 2000 I started the international website. At that time most groups worldwide were producing paper newsletters, some starting to go online, and with the club growing internationally, the idea of creating a central repository for info relevant to all WIMA groups, cutting across geographical boundaries was born.
Primarily it was to share various aspects of common interest. It was largely text based (with fewer photos than would be expected these days), and held international news, WIMA history, travel, rally info and contacts.
I signed up for a couple of courses on HTML programming and how to use Dreamweaver, the prominent website design tool of the day. I registered the domain name www.wimaworld.com and set about creating the site. It was done as much for my own interest as the club’s as I was already a mainframe computer programmer by trade.
I’ve owned around 9/10 road bikes plus a Yamaha 250 LC for a brief stint of club road racing. My passion for motorcycling is now replaced by a passion for coastal rowing, but it’s lovely to think that the website is still going, still developing and bringing together WIMA women from around the world.
(2025)
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Maris Varik
International Treasurer, 2017-2024
I joined WIMA Estonia in 2009, having done my A category licence in 2008. The WIMA ladies in Estonia are a tight group of very different individuals with various backgrounds and occupations. My first international WIMA rally was in Poland in 2014, and after that I have been to as many rallies as I can, because I just love the atmosphere.
My first motorcycle was a Moto Guzzi, after that I have had different models of Harley Davidson and a BMW GS. I usually travel by bike in my own or the neighbouring countries, my farthest destination being Croatia. Although small, Estonia offers a lot in the summer and my favourite pastime is to ride our beautiful small countryside roads and visiting events or friends.
(2023)
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Lili Bernhard
International Treasurer, 2013-2017
Some find joy in books or music – mine is in motorcycles. The roar of the engine, the rush of the wind, the freedom of the open road – nothing compares. When I’m not managing finances as an international treasurer, you’ll find me on two wheels, enjoying the ride – often alongside my fellow riders in an incredible women’s motorcycle group. Motorcycles aren’t just a hobby, they are a passion. And like any true enthusiast I own more than one. Each bike has its own character and purpose. But riding is not just about the machine, it’s about the people you ride with!
Being part of WIMA means sharing the road, experiences, and the unique bond that only fellow riders understand. Treasury work requires precision, responsibility and quick thinking – just like riding. Managing WIMAs international finances feels like navigating a winding road: adjust to conditions and stay in control. Nothing clears the mind like a good ride, especially with a strong group of women who share the same passion.
Finance and motorcycles both demand discipline and a love for the journey. Whether I’m riding solo or with my sisters on the road, every mile is a reminder that it is not just about the destination – it’s about the ride itself.
(2025)
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Anne Schrijvers
International Treasurer, 2011-2013
We have not been able to reach Anne to complete her profile
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Linda Richardson
British Captain 1964-1965
Linda has not been traceable since she retired as British division captain.
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Anne Gale
British Division Captain, 1976-1981 and Ellen Pfeiffer Award recipient in 2008
This is the nomination that was submitted by WIMA GB:
Anne Gale joined WIMA around 1970. She was assistant captain for Brenda Alderson for three months in 1975 but took over as captain in 1976 until 1981. During that time, Anne organised a full committee, held annual AGMs and created the first WIMA GB constitution. Anne held the positions of captain and magazine editor – two very time-consuming positions but she carried out the duties to both posts admirably and with great effect.
As more club fees were coming in and WIMA became more affluent, Anne improved WIMA NEWS and membership numbers began to increase further.
Anne’s hard work on the various committees of WIMA GB is legendary; from 1981 to 1984 Anne served as rally officer and address list secretary and from 1984 to 1987 as rally officer. From 1990 to 1999 Anne was the MAG/BMF representative for WIMA GB and from 1999 until the present day is the MAG/FEMA rep.
In 1977 Anne was made WIMA GB member of the year and in 2000 was awarded WIMA GB honorary membership. Anne still rides her Harley more regularly than most and although she is semi-retired at over 60, she puts most of us to shame.
Without Anne’s foresight, imagination and sheer hard work and dedication, WIMA GB would not be the democratic club it is today, and we all owe her a great deal in this respect. WIMA GB therefore wishes to nominate Anne for the Ellen Pfeiffer award 2008 in recognition of her services to WIMA from the 1970s right up to the present day.
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Sheila Whittingham
British Division Captain 1973-1976, International Historian 2006-2011 and Ellen Pfeiffer Award recipient in 2020
This is the nomination that was submitted by WIMA GB:
Sheila Whittingham has been a member of WIMA GB since 1967 and has been active in her support of WIMA throughout this time. She even met her husband Eddie through WIMA! In 1973 she took over from Maureen Willis as captain of the GB division – at this time the captain did everything: badges, membership, organising rallies as well as the magazine, as there was no committee then. The news sheet from the USA was becoming increasingly erratic, so Sheila found an old spirit duplicator and started sending WIMA News out as a monthly publication. Membership rose from 50 to 250 after Bike Magazine published an article on WIMA. Sheila continued as editor of the newsletter for many years.
Sheila has been riding since she was about 11 years old and got her first road bike at 16 – a BSA Bantam. She’s owned and ridden a total of 42(!) motorcycles including a Kawasaki trail bike, a Moto Guzzi, a Buell, a Harley and possibly her favourite: a 1951 Velocette Mac 350 touring bike. She has attended numerous WIMA and other non-WIMA rallies at home and abroad, and has passengered in a trials outfit, and done hill climbs. Sheila still rides all through the winter in snowy Wales at the age of 72.
Sheila was the first WIMA national then international historian for around 15 years. During this time, she collected and stored a mass of material including WIMA newsletters and photo albums from 1965 onwards. From this she produced a terrific CD of archive photos called ‘WIMA – 52 years of fun from 1950 to 2002’. Sheila is proving invaluable in helping in providing information about the early years of WIMA International for the update of the WIMA history. We believe she is long overdue recognition for her more than 50 years of contribution to WIMA and truly deserves the Ellen Pfeiffer award.