Women in Motorsports North America established to help ensure a successful and effective future for women in professional motorsports roles.
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Two of the most powerful women in women’s motorsport initiatives are joining forces.
Seven-time Indianapolis 500 racer Lyn St. James and Paretta Autosport founder Beth Paretta announced on Wednesday that they have formed an organization called Women in Motorsports North America. The 501 (c)(3) charity is designed to “foster mentorship, advocacy, education, and growth to help ensure a successful and effective future for women in professional motorsports roles.”
Lyn St. James made seven starts in the Indianapolis 500.
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The roots of the organization date back to the summer of 2021 when St. James, a recent inductee into the Automotive Hall of Fame, reached out to Paretta, the former automotive executive and current IndyCar team owner of Paretta Autosport. They began putting together a team that includes about 40 women currently working as professionals in motorsport to help make the idea a reality.
St. James and Paretta have long since been active in mentorship and growing opportunities for women in all forms of motorsport.
“There has long been a need for a place where all the professional women working in motorsports can come together to collaborate and elevate their opportunities,” said St. James. “Beth and I had spoken about this subject on a number of occasions, and we decided to develop a platform and bring in some of the many talented professionals currently employed in the sport to join committees and build a charity to be a place women could go for resources who want to work in motorsports.”
Beth Paretta heads the Paretta Autosport IndyCar team.
Penske Entertainment/Walt Kuhn
Paretta walked the walk when she fielded a women-dominated team that included driver Simona de Silvestro and a crew that included women both in the pits and on the team’s engineering side at the 2021 Indianapolis 500.
“We are proud to have such a strong, varied working group of professional women and men who have helped shape our purpose and strategy. Our strength is in our members and the breadth of their perspectives across many disciplines including engineers, drivers, team management, PR/marketing, track operations, sponsor relations, and event promotions.” said Paretta. “As we strive to increase opportunities for women to work in motorsports, WIMNA will be a resource for people considering or advancing their careers. The organization will help us all work together to identify, train, and support new talent to continue to produce a pipeline of future experts in our sport.”
Keyword: Lyn St. James, Beth Paretta Join Forces for Bold Women-in-Motorsport Initiative