International President 2012-2017, International Vice President 2011-2012, International Treasurer 2008 to 2011 and Ellen Pfeiffer Award recipient in 2018
My name is Claudia Fehrer and I would like to briefly review, and give a personal account, of my time with WIMA over the past 20 years. There will of course be many more WIMA years to come, but this is my story to date.
I participated in my first WIMA rally in 2002 in the Czech Republic, and since 2007 I have had the honour and privilege to serve WIMA as an international committee member. During the rally in Germany, I was elected to take the role of the international treasurer (2007-2012). In 2011, I became vice president, and then in 2012 it came as a bit of a surprise to be chosen as the international president of WIMA (2012-2017).
During the rally in Finland 2018, I handed over to my successor, and I was proud to receive the Ellen Pfeiffer award. This came along with celebrating my 10 year anniversary serving in this awesome institution. The WIMA International committee achieved many positive things for WIMA during those years. Expanding WIMA from 16 to 28 countries, we were able to unite more women riders around the world, affirm our community, and increase our visibility as an organisation.
I personally gained a deeper understanding of WIMA and its facets. I learned to appreciate how much effort it requires to run a network of institutions on an international level, how much work goes on unseen in the background and gaining an understanding of how much responsibility rests on each official. I believe the key to progress is to face upcoming challenges, and to providing a good service to the membership. The leader of an international association needs passion, accompanied with good fortune, and a willingness to undertake hard work.
I would like to express my deepest gratitude and thanks to everybody who helped me to carry out my duties, enabling me to run WIMA effectively over the years of my tenure. During this time, I found fun and joy, making friends from around the globe. In the future I will continue with my mission, to be a true ambassador for WIMA, whilst continuing discovering the world on my motorcycle.
Using Article 2 of our international constitution, as a reference, I conclude my review with a little wish: Let’s stand together, let’s continue to achieve improvements for women in general, and for women riders in particular, let’s keep the WIMA SPIRIT alive at all times!
‘I feel FREEDOM! Riding my BIKE with the WIND in my face’
Claudia FEHRER (May 2022)
This is the Ellen Pfeiffer Award nomination that was submitted by Kathy O’Donnell of WIMA Australia for Claudia (edited by Claudia in 2025):
Claudia served on our international committee for many years, first as assistant treasurer, then as treasurer, then as vice president and for many years as president.
Claudia joined WIMA in 2002 and her first WIMA International rally was in the Czech Republic. Since then, Claudia has attended almost every international rally including Japan and Australia, in total 20 rallies including 2024, looking forward to attending many more WIMA rallies in coming years.
Claudia joined the WIMA International committee in 2007. During the time Claudia served as president, nine countries joined WIMA. She will continue her mission as an ambassador for WIMA and she will carry on keeping the WIMA spirit alive.
In 2015 I hosted Claudia in my house when she travelled to Australia for the international rally. She was travelling with Silvia Wiesner-Kaschner. Claudia had encouraged Silvia to join her, to come to Australia for her to attend the WIMA Rally. Silvia spoke no English, so Claudia translated for her for their entire trip.
Last year my husband travelled with me to the WIMA rally in Estonia. To save money, Al decided to buy a second-hand motorcycle in Germany to ride. We would not have been able to do this without Claudia’s assistance. She was so helpful and so accommodating. She met us at the train station, hosted us overnight, allowed Al to service the motorcycle at her place.
