Founded in 1994 by Lyn St. James, the Women in the Winner’s
Circle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization that focuses
on worldwide activities and programs for driver development,
advocacy, diversity and education, particularly for women
who aspire to become race car drivers. The Foundation is
dedicated to making a difference and reaching the point in
time when “opportunity” and "diversity” are no longer concerns
– they are taken for granted.
The Foundation’s mission is to provide leadership, vision,
resources and financial support to help create an environment
of opportunity for women’s growth in the automotive and competitive
motorsports fields.
In order to advance its mission, the Foundation
currently has three major programs underway:
- The Complete
Driver Academy (formerly Driver Development
Program) was founded in 1994. The Academy has a two-fold
purpose: (1) identify potential champion women drivers
who have demonstrated success on the track and have a
desire to pursue a career in professional motorsports;
and (2) to create an experience that will provide the
tools to further women drivers’ careers in motorsports
as well as enhance their lives on and off the track.
- Project
Podium, founded in 2007.
Each year, up to $50,000 in matching funds are available to young
women drivers who compete in all forms of motorsports
including but not limited to karting, quarter midgets,
drag racing, sports car and oval track racing. The overarching
goal of Project Podium is to provide financial assistance
in the form of matching grants to young women drivers
to help further their early professional careers. Secondarily,
the Project Podium process introduces or further provides
experience for young drivers related to the very important
business aspect of the racing industry due to the matching
fund requirement.
- The annual Women in the
Winner’s Circle Celebration, which began
in 2003, is the Foundation’s major fundraiser as well as celebrating the success of women in racing, helping
them build strong ties with each other and the motorsports
community. 8th annual Celebration on Feb. 10, 2010 at the Daytona 500 Experience - Click here to register
Board
Members
The Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation Board
consists of automotive, motorsports and business professionals
who guide the direction of the Foundation.
Board members
for 2008-2009 are:
Lyn St. James (IN) – Founder, Women in the Winner’s Circle
Kai Binford (IN), president, Ovar'Coming Together
Valerie Bonebrake (MO), transportation and logistics
executive & consultant
Linda Conti (IN), VP Wealth Management, David A. Noyes & Company
John C. Downing (CA), chairman, J.C. Downing
Foundation
Carol Mann (TX), LPGA Hall of Fame golfer
Marsha Mason (NM), Academy Award-winning actress
Mary Louise Miller (IN), owner, ARCA Race Team
George McAtee (IN), Commercial realtor, ReMax
Lindsay Lessman (CA), Sales Associate, East West Partners
Vicki O’Connor (IN), Championship Atlantic Series
Shelia Plank (VA), former executive, United Way & America’s
Promise
Harold “Red” Poling (MI), former chairman, Ford Motor
Co.
Leo Mehl (OH), former executive director, IRL & Former
Worldwide Manager of Motorsports, Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Dick Simon (CA), IRL team owner, Dick Simon Racing
Biennial
Report
The Foundation produces a biennial report that provides information about its programmatic areas. Click here for the 2006 - 2007 biennial report. Click here for the 2004 - 2005 report.
Donate
The Foundation’s ability to support its programs
depends on individuals, businesses, organizations, teams
and series who make financial and other contributions.
It takes a great deal of money to operate these programs
to their full potential. Monies contributed to the Foundation
are tax deductible under the laws of the Internal Revenue
Service. Click
here to donate.
For more information on the Women in the Winner’s
Circle Foundation, or to find
out how you can help, please write, call or email:
Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation
P.O. Box 10357
Phoenix, AZ 85064
(317) 244-9790
LSJweb@aol.com
Tax ID # 58-2082858
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