Cars, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + StyleHeleana GenausMECHANICS, nigeria, gasoline culture, groups, education, empowermentComment

THE LADY MECHANIC INITIATIVE: Nigeria

Cars, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + StyleHeleana GenausMECHANICS, nigeria, gasoline culture, groups, education, empowermentComment
THE LADY MECHANIC INITIATIVE: Nigeria

PHOTOS | LADY MECHANIC INITIATIVE

The Lady Mechanic Initiative was founded by Nigeria's first female mechanic over a decade ago to give women who face many discriminations in Nigeria a chance at a profession. Their mission is to empower women and girls who are labelled indigent, victims of human trafficking, a widow or a any women who want to learn a profession within the automotive industry through the technical and mechanic skills they teach. 

The LMI teaches all facets of mechanics within the automotive industry and have had over 700 women through their programs. If there is anyone I'd like to meet it is the founder of this Initiative, who found her love of mechanics later in her life, against all the usual prejudices she not only became qualified but is on a mission to have ten thousand girls come through the program, be qualified and find their passion.

LMI creed:

We, the entire LMI team, believe that empowering indigent girls and women in our society is not just a call to service and the essence of humanity; but something that defines our collective existence. In doing this, we seek to be sensitive, candid and open; adhering to appropriate high-ethical standards and civic responsibilities.
To find out more and donate please visit their website
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Heleana is a force of nature. The founder of In Venus Veritas and The Petrolette, and a co-founder of Rising Sun Workshop. Heleana shares her love of vintage cars, riding motorcycles, and (not-so-secretly) dreams of flying planes and piloting a riva aquariva (a la Sophia Loren) very fast through the canals of Venice. Supportive and connected, community is her lifeblood, and she is as real as they come.

Groups, Motorcyclists, The PetrolettesHeleana GenausMotorcycles, women who ride, riding, groups, moto fashion, the throttle dolls1 Comment

The Throttle Dolls

The emergence of all-women social groups (who aren't afraid of sharing their moto exploits) is not showing any signs of slowing down. Sydney locals The Throttle Dolls formalised their friendship-cum-riding posse less than eighteen months ago having been having a great time. IVV invited the Dolls to tell us, in their own words, the journey thus far and where it all started.  

Groups, Motorcyclists, The PetrolettesHeleana GenausMotorcycles, women who ride, riding, groups, moto fashion, the throttle dolls1 Comment
The Throttle Dolls
Groups, Life + Style, Drivers, OpinionHeleana Genausjeep, mobile clinic, gasoline culture, developing countries, haitiComment

THE MOBILE CLINIC: A Pink Jeep

Midwives for Haiti are not only supporting women in the earthquake devastated country but maintaining natural delivery and the wonderful care that midwives offer. Rotary International donated a fully equipped medical Jeep (in pink) as a mobile clinic to allow MFH to reach more remote locations for pre and post natal care. Check out this great short film about this important service.

Groups, Life + Style, Drivers, OpinionHeleana Genausjeep, mobile clinic, gasoline culture, developing countries, haitiComment
THE MOBILE CLINIC: A Pink Jeep
Cars, Life + Style, AdviceHeleana Genausmechanics, retreat, Mercedes-Benz2 Comments

The Mercedes-Benz Retreat

So I finally found the right mechanic for my 1971 Mercedez-Benz 230 and can't have asked for better. I mentioned previously she needed some TLC but with John, she also got a plan of action for her restoration. I'm calling this workshop her retreat where she goes to detox, restore and re-enter the world functioning better.

Cars, Life + Style, AdviceHeleana Genausmechanics, retreat, Mercedes-Benz2 Comments
The Mercedes-Benz Retreat
Community, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + Style, History, PilotsHeleana Genauswomen who fly, women in aviation, the spitfire sisters, world war two2 Comments

The Spitfire Sisters

Many women today may never know war or discrimination in the way the Spitfire Sisters did during World War Two in Britain. By order of the King, women were not allowed to be involved in combat, much less be members of the Royal AirForce transporting aircraft to troops fighting in the war. This documentary tells their important story and reminds us of our role in contributing to collective identity that is empowering and history making.

Community, Groups, Petrolettes, Life + Style, History, PilotsHeleana Genauswomen who fly, women in aviation, the spitfire sisters, world war two2 Comments
The Spitfire Sisters