Linda Jo Giovannoni
1996, Promotion
In 1983, Jo and her former partner, Cris, started a 1 page newsletter for the second chapter of Women in the Wind, serving the Chicago Suburban area. The newsletter received such a great response that they realized a true need for this type of literature.
In 1985 Jo and Cris put together pictures and stories, then Presented them to Harley Davidson in Milwaukee for possible licensing. After a couple of meetings, Harley Davidson licensed them, encouraged them and helped them to some extent with this up-and-coming magazine.
They printed 2,000 (each) of the first 3 issues. They also collated and stitched those first 3 issues. (And, Jo says that heaven help her, she'll never do that again!) Cris left Harley Women Magazine around 1990, but Jo has continued with them through thick and thin (or should I say kick-start and saddle).
Jo has encouraged many riders and enthusiasts, both female and male, to follow their dream. She emphasizes the need for motorcycle safety and is. an icon in the motorcycling world as a woman who is dedicated to what she believes in. The abundance of energy is so prevalent that one can only be proud of the work she continues to do.
She was given recognition by the AMA Museum in 1991, in the section on women in motorcycling. An appreciation certificate has been awarded to Jo by WITW and MMA's Bill Gannon. Around 1987-88, she had to give up her chapter of Women in the Wind because she was still working full-time at Villa Park Harley, and the magazine was rapidly becoming full-time. At that time they made her an honorary member.
Jo was (20 years ago) the Secretary of the Illinois Chapter of ABATE. She is also a promoter of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation and other motorcycle rights groups.
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