The Big Event, WIMA’s 20th birthday celebration, took place in New York in 1970. Theresa Wallach, vice president of WIMA wrote about it in WIMA News and the report appeared in the Pearl Booklet.
Our president looked wonderful behind the birthday cake with as many as twenty national flags of the countries represented in the Women’s International Motorcycle Association. Louise was dressed in her WIMA blue uniform with colourful insignia on her left sleeve. Seated at her right and left side respectively were Vice President Theresa Wallach, who had ridden her BSA Royal Star 650 miles from Chicago, and American-Canadian Division Captain Faye Rickert who had ridden as passenger with her husband, Martin, on their big Harley Davidson from Meadville. Pioneer rider Mrs. Fay McConn, sat at one end of the top table, and pioneer rider Mrs. Mary James at the other end; she had come more than 3000 miles from Palo Alto. They made everyone feel proud of the spirit of WIMA.
As vice president, I had the honour to propose the toast to Louise. The cake cutting ceremony followed. The tiered cake, iced in white, red and blue looked so very beautiful, it was a pity to eat it. Pioneer rider, Mary James, removed the first flags and picked Great Britain and Belgium, and thoughts went out to those members. Pioneer rider Fay McConn pulled out the flags of France, Canada and Spain and our hearts were with our members over there. Captain Faye removed the flags of Wales, Australia and Czechoslovakia and our thoughts went to these members likewise. Miriam picked out Germany, Switzerland and then Sweden with mutual blessings. Betty gently took the flags of New Zealand, Denmark and Scotland out of the red roses and icing sugar and expressed her hope that it was that way for our members in those countries. Melody took off flags of Finland, Holland and East Germany and held them in her hand and thoughts in her head. It was now my turn and I removed the flags of Austria and Italy. The American flag remained as a centre piece over the insignia of our WIMA. Cheers went up as Louise removed the Stars and Stripes and pierced the cake. She then spoke of her gratefulness for everyone’s cooperation in the success of the WIMA and a thank you to all.
In the same newsletter there is a long note of thanks from Louise Scherbyn, WIMA president: This memorable occasion was the highlight of my entire motorcycling life. There have been many happy times and they have been countless, but sometimes one can actually select the happiest moment of all and this was it – making other women motorcycling enthusiasts happy too with the success of joining together their interest in motorcycling into an international organisation, and making it possible for a celebration in every division of WIMA in different parts of the world to honour our 20 years together.
I am indeed very proud of the WIMA and of every member for upholding our principles into making WIMA the fine organisation it is today. May it always continue to be that way. Thank you everyone.
