Automobile museums play a critical role in shaping how motorsports history is preserved, interpreted, and understood. Yet for decades, the contributions of women—as drivers, engineers, executives, designers, journalists, and innovators—have been underrepresented, fragmented, or entirely absent from institutional narratives. This session explores how museums can move beyond symbolic inclusion to meaningfully integrate women’s motorsports stories into collections, exhibitions, programming, and public engagement.
Drawing on the work and assets of Women in Motorsports North America (WIMNA), this panel will examine how museums can responsibly interpret women’s history in motorsports while meeting professional standards in curation, scholarship, and audience engagement. WIMNA has collaborated with museums, sanctioning bodies, and media partners to develop award-winning documentaries, exhibits, educational programs, and public forums that elevate overlooked stories while connecting historical legacy to contemporary relevance.
Panelists will share practical case studies and lessons learned, including: •Identifying and acquiring women-centered artifacts, archives, and oral histories •Navigating gaps in documentation and historical bias within existing collections •Designing exhibits and programs that resonate with multigenerational and nontraditional audiences •Leveraging partnerships with nonprofits, industry, and living legends to activate collections through programming, education, and digital storytelling.
The discussion will also address the evolving expectations of museum audiences, donors, and younger visitors—many of whom are seeking more inclusive, accurate, and engaging narratives. By examining both successes and challenges, this session aims to equip automobile museum professionals with actionable strategies to strengthen institutional relevance while honoring the full scope of motorsports history.
Attendees will leave with concrete ideas for exhibition planning, collections development, and community engagement, as well as a deeper understanding of how women’s motorsports stories can enhance—not silo—museum narratives. The session is designed to foster dialogue, encourage peer exchange, and inspire museums of all sizes to see inclusive storytelling as both a professional responsibility and strategic.
