Mission Statement
To promote motorcycling to the public in general and to women in particular through visibility, respect for other highway users, and sound riding practices.
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To provide avenues for continued maintenance and mastery of skills essential for the safe enjoyment of motorcycling.
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To use our collective passion for motorcycling towards the greater good of society as a whole.
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To specifically target the eradication of breast cancer as a life threatening disease.
History
Women's Motorcyclist Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 charitable networking organization. As such, we host and co-host a variety of events which bring riders together. We create comfortable environments in which riders, especially women riders, broaden their riding experiences. In conjunction with most of our activities, we also raise funds for charitable missions. Our primary efforts have been towards eradicating breast cancer on behalf of the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
In addition, WMF, Inc. is an American Red Cross service provider. As such, we host and teach American Red Cross Courses such as CPR, First Aid, and Responding to Emergencies to Scout Troops, school students, and riding clubs.
W.M.F. was founded when Sue Slate and Gin Shear sought to create an environment in which women could explore the possibility of becoming motorcyclists. They pioneered environments in which women motorcyclists could broaden the many different skills required to truly be independent and safe on the road.
The W.M.F. has grown from there. The W.M.F. has not only encouraged many women to ride, they have encouraged many people to live their dream.
W.M.F. hosted multi-day Women's Motorcycle Festivals designed to increase the number of women motorcyclists and enhance their riding, mechanical, and touring skills; and elevate women's collective status within the motorcycling industry.
W.M.F. hosted "Women Riding for Research" a 13,339-mile trek that visited three oceans by motorcycle (including Arctic Waters) and raised $25,000 for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
W.M.F. Co-hosted Women Track Days with Reg Pridmore, utilizing his C.L.A.S.S. curriculum and instructors. W.M.F. was involved in planning the 1997 and 2000 Women in Motorcycling Conferences hosted by the American Motorcyclist Association (A.M.A.)
W.M.F. hosted three major national
fundraising events benefiting the Susan
G. Komen Foundation where over $1.5
million was raised with the funds going
directly for research.
W.M.F. held its fourth national fundraising event, Pony Express Relay 2003. Although the final Relay, this event raised over $503,000 benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation, again, with the funds going directly for research.
International Women and Motorcycling Conference steering committee membership.
Initiated a partnership with SportBike Track Time for a program dubbed “ON TRACK FOR A CURE.” Through this partnership, riders are afforded the opportunity to improve their turning, swerving, and braking skills at real time speeds in the controlled environment of the track. Sans potholes, on-coming traffic, dogs, and deer, riders learn and practice their skills in small groups of 5-8 riders.
Riders raise money for breast cancer research per mile they complete on the track. Riders raising a minimum of $250 receive tuition $50 reimbursements for their efforts towards eradicating breast cancer. Thus far $21,000 has been raised by “On Track for a Cure.”
WMF, Inc. will continue with “ON TRACK FOR A CURE” in
hopes of growing the program for both its
educational and charitable merits.
National
Awards
1996: Hazel Kolb Brighter Image Award, presented by the American Motorcyclist Association for consistently news worthy activities providing a positive image of motorcycling in the media.
1998: Jill Ireland Award for Volunteerism. Presented by the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation to an organization or individual for outstanding volunteer work on behalf of the eradication of breast cancer.
2000: WMF, Inc. co-founder Gin Shear and Sue Slate are named motorcycling pioneers by the American Motorcyclist Association’s Heritage Foundation. As such, WMF, Inc. along with Gin Shear and Sue Slate are represented in the Heritage Foundations traveling display on “Women in Motorcycling. This display has been featured around the nation and motorcycle events, trade shows, and national conferences.
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