GV Social Riders member Karen Asquith.
Photo by
Bree Harding
International Women’s Day holds various meanings for the women of GV Social Riders, but for Karen Asquith, it means something more when she rides.
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“I think as women who ride, and are still riding when they’re older, it’s power,” she said.
“When I ride, I actually do feel like I can be an inspiration to women on International Women’s Day.”
Tanya Caruana said people outside motorcycling communities often formed stereotypes about women in helmets and leathers, assuming they were passengers, not riders, with very little knowledge about bikes.
However, she said, people within motorcycling communities were mostly blind to gender.
“Funnily enough, the men in the motorbike clubs don’t see women as different either, they’re just riders really when you’re on the road,” Tanya said.
GV Social Riders member Tanya Caruana.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Clare Cummins sees International Women’s Day as an opportunity to build other women up.
“Often, women will take other women down,” she said.
“But it’s a good chance to say this is fantastic, you’re doing a great job.”
GV Social Riders member Clare Cummins.
Photo by
Bree Harding
Having been surrounded by inspirational female figures her whole life, Margie Hodge is a fan.
“I went to an all-girls’ school and into nursing, which was mostly female dominated,” she said.
“Women have been very strong in my life.”
GV Social Riders member Margie Hodge.
Photo by
Bree Harding
The riders named various personalities as women they looked up to, including a star, a sportsperson and a trailblazer, as well as someone a lot closer to home and heart.
“Olivia Newton-John,” Karen said.
“Pure Aussie, pure love, pure independence, pure inspiration.”
Clare said she looked up to World Cup show jumper and equestrian, Australian Jenny Sheppard.
“She’s now in her 70s. She’s just been through so much and still comes out and is always positive,” Clare said.
Tanya takes her inspiration from Noraly ‘Itchy Boots’ Schoenmaker, a Dutch rider and moto vlogger with more than three million YouTube subscribers, who travels the world solo.
“She’s currently in China, which is just fascinating. She’s doing it on her own without a film crew, without any support,” Tanya said.
“Just that capability and resilience, and it’s not all glamour, and I just think she’s amazing.”
Margie Hodge was worried her answer might sound a little “corny”.
“But I reckon it’s my mother,” she said.
“She was a quiet achiever and she just got on and did the job.”
International Women’s Day is on Sunday, March 8.
It recognises women's fight for equality, liberation and rights, giving focus to issues including gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
Watch a video from the group’s March 1 ride ahead of and in honour of International Women’s Day:
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