Ford Celebrates Car Girls on International Women's Day – and Year Round
March 11, 2024 by Ford'In a world that seeks to put you in a box, tell you who you should be, and what you should like, you're no stranger to forging your own path, driving in your own lane. You're a car girl, after all,' says Ford in the newly released 'Dear Car Girl' letter in celebration of International Women's Day. This letter, from Ford to women who love cars, is meant to encourage them to continue to show their passion for automotive, push past limits, forge new paths, and redefine expectations. It will be shared through a film narrated by inspirational women from a variety of auto backgrounds: professional stunt driver Dee Bryant; Ford engineer Fernanda Medina; Bronco ambassador Gabby Downing and Mustang ambassador Lauren Stoney. Additionally, women around the world will be encouraged to share what makes them a #CarGirl. Ford will also be mailing physical copies of the letter to customers, employees, and other women. Ford's legacy is rich with women's contributions, from employing women before they had voting rights to inspiring the iconic Rosie the Riveter during World War II. Women have not only been integral to innovations, like the invention of the rearview mirror, but have also led efforts that shape the future of automotive. As we celebrate International Women's Day, we honor these trailblazers and their pivotal role in Ford's history and future. 'Dear Car Girl' is the latest example of Ford elevating and celebrating women's accomplishments inside and outside the company - expanding what Ford as a brand means to women. Other recent examples include: •Ford x Sydney Sweeney: Celebrating actress Sydney Sweeney's passion for Ford vehicles with a focus on education and empowerment, including an Auto-101 series, workwear collections, and a Mustang GT giveaway, emphasizing hands-on learning and automotive enthusiasm.•Ladies Days at Bronco Off-Roadeo: Since 2022, Bronco Off-Roadeo has hosts Ladies' Days throughout the year. These events are exclusively for female Bronco owners, and led by an all-female Trail Guide team. Today on International Women's Day, 36 women will learn how to get the most out of their Bronco at Bronco Off-Roadeo Nevada. •Built Ford Proud with Dee Bryant: Showcasing Dee Bryant, a pioneering African American female stunt driver, through social media series that highlight her extraordinary skills and advocate against racism and sexism in the automotive industry. •Rebelle Rally: Rebelle Rally: Ford will return to this year's Rebelle Rally, in the 4x4 and X-CROSS classes. Last year, Melissa Clark and Jessica Moore won the fourth-consecutive victory for Bronco Sport in the X-CROSS Class and Laura Wanlass and Maria Guitar received the bronze in the 4x4 Class in Bronco Raptor. Rebelle Rally is the first women's off-road navigation rally raid in the U.S. It not only showcases the ability of the vehicle entries, but also challenges the navigation and driving skills of the participants, as no cell phones or GPS are allowed.
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•Hailie Deegan & Ford Performance: Hailie Deegan is in her fifth season as a development driver with Ford Performance and has primarily focused on stock car racing as she progresses through NASCAR's three major series. Deegan competed full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series from 2021-23 and was named Most Popular Driver all three seasons. She broke new ground by becoming the first female driver to post multiple top-10 series finishes in the same season when she did that in 2022. In addition, she became the first female to register a top-10 finish at a non-superspeedway when she had a seventh-place effort at World Wide Technology Raceway in 2021. She is currently in her first season driving with AM Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. •Ford Warriors in Pink ®: Ford has been active in the fight against breast cancer for 30 years and has dedicated nearly $140 million to the cause through its Ford Warriors in Pink initiative. Ford helps provide transportation solutions for patients in need by donating 100% of its profits from inspirational wear and gear to Susan G. Komen® and Pink Fund.•Ford Auto Tech Scholarship: Ford Fund and Ford Dealers, partnering with TechForce Foundation, are awarding 400 scholarships totaling $2 million to aspiring automotive technicians in ten U.S. regions. These scholarships promote inclusivity and access to technical careers, recognizing the power of diversity needed to drive innovation. The program extends a special invitation to women, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and the transformative impact they can make in a field where they currently represent only 2.03% of all auto technicians. •Student highlights: •Makenna Enga is a student at Universal Technical Institute (UTI) - Phoenix. Her decision to become an auto technician came as a shock to her parents, but they now see that she is coming into her own and excelling. 'I am extremely passionate about pursuing a technical education in automotive technology for many reasons. To start with, a pretty obvious one is the lack of women in the industry. Women are capable of doing whatever they desire,' Enga said. She knows that she picked the right career path and hopes to inspire other women to follow their dreams. •Leslie is a student at Lincoln Tech – Melrose Park. Ever since she was a little girl, she had an infatuation with automobiles and knew that she would have a future in the industry. She plans to gain experience while she is in school by working at a local dealership. After college, she hopes to open her own body shop and car wash. •Ashlee is a Parkland Community College student. She's had a passion for cars since she was a child and has gained experience working in an auto center. She enjoys getting to drive the new cars on the lot and talking to the mechanics about the car specifics. In the future, she hopes to work in a shop with other female technicians. •Amanda is a Gwinnett Technical College student who's love for cars began when she was a teenager living in Japan attending street racing and drift events. She is one of two women in her automotive program and works hard to overcome the obstacles in the way of her receiving her degree. Her goal is to become one of the top female Master Technician in America. •Allayna is a Tarrant County College student and wanted to understand everything about cars without relying on anyone else. Since she was a child, Allayna has broken barriers and was the only girl on the flag football team. She's carried this determination throughout her life and is currently serving as a mentor to younger girls who have interests in male-dominated fields. 'I've been a mentor to young girls who like football but aren't able to play because people think they're not made for that sport. In order to encourage those young girls, I told them, 'Prove to those people that you can handle it. Challenge yourself and challenge each other; prove that you can do anything you wish to do because you can,'' she said. •DRIVE with Jim Farley: 'Car Girls' including singer Kelly Clarkson, Girls Auto Clinic owner Patrice Banks, YouTube sensation and influencer Emelia Hartford, Sydney Sweeney, and Dee Bryant have been interviewed by Ford CEO Jim Farley on his DRIVE podcast. These women have shared their passion for automotives and what drives them to succeed. •48 Hours with Carly Pearce: GRAMMY, CMA, and ACM Award-winning country star, Carly Pearce, is part of a new vlog series, 48 Hours – Ford's effort to show customers the versatility of Ford vehicles and the people who drive them. In the episode featuring Pearce, she shows a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her life on tour and how her Bronco enables her to escape into nature and reconnect with her music. •Collaboration with the Ladies Professional Golf Association: Ford has joined the LPGA Tour family as title sponsor of the tournament, the Ford Championship presented by KCC. Ford provided a sponsor exemption for Kim Paez, the groundbreaking 2023 Southwest PGA Championship's first female winner, enabling her participation in the prestigious LPGA Tour event at Seville Golf in Arizona, highlighting exceptional female golfers.
