Her courage has inspired young women to envision themselves in roles they may have once thought impossible.
But fearlessness isnt just required from the women entering the sport.
Its equally necessary from those in positions to effect change.
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But visibility is just as essential; the presence of women in high-profile roles itself serves as mentorship.
When Emma Gilmour took the stage at our Fleet Summit, she was there as a race car driver.
But to the women in the audience from college students to seasoned executives she was so much more.
She was living proof that barriers can be broken and dreams achieved.
This visibility is indispensable as seeing women like Emma succeed helps young girls envision themselves in these roles.
It requires active cultivation of talent and creating opportunities.
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McLaren, for instance, has been a leader in this regard.
Theyve implemented shadow programs for female drivers and have female race engineers, demonstrating their commitment to equality.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite the progress weve seen, significant challenges remain.
Unconscious bias is still a hurdle that many women in motorsport face.
From resume reviews to pit lane decisions, these ingrained biases can create invisible barriers to entry and advancement.
Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach.
It involves education and awareness programs to combat unconscious bias.
It requires creating more visible pathways for women to enter and advance in the sport.
Every success story chips away at unconscious biases and paves the way for more women to follow.
These successes must be celebrated and shared widely.
As leaders in this industry, its our responsibility to keep our foot on the accelerator of change.
And when we do, well all be winners.
