MRF Rep Report

The big Sturgis rally is in the past, and a lot of great memories were made. The Motorcycle Riders Foundation is now listed as a recipient of the Freedom Fighter Award in the Sturgis Hall of Fame. See my article in the MRF newsletter, the American Biker Journal, on how influential Wisconsin has been in the motorcycling community.

At the upcoming Meeting of the Minds conference this September, I have been asked to be part of a panel of female guest speakers who will discuss the topic of “Earning Respect.” Each of us brings a unique perspective to our State Motorcycle Rights Organization (SMRO), whether it be ABATE or otherwise. Hopefully, you can be there in person to see us, along with the other amazing presenters.

In preparation for the panel, I have compiled some of my thoughts on the topic and am sharing them with you here as a preface to the event. I don’t usually like to talk about myself, but I expect a lot of you can relate to these thoughts. These are based on a set of questions we were asked to provoke insight on “Earning Respect.”

My challenges have been earning the respect from riders that have been around longer than me and “know it all” and/or “have always done it this way.” Getting past the stereotype of being a female (what could I possibly know about the mechanics of a motorcycle?) and a female rider (“she can’t possible ride as good as me”)

and staying motivated.

I’ve stayed motivated by staying educated. The more I learn about how the government and others are trying to diminish our rights, the more pissed off I get. This keeps me motivated and in the fight. I also attend conferences and workshops with other freedom fighters who inspire me.

I’ve found I can be more effective in a leadership position than just as a general member because I am aware of more events, like Meeting of the Minds and Heartland STEAM, and receive more education and information that gets passed down from other leadership.

One huge stumbling block I see often is the breakdown from leadership to the general membership. There is so much that gets talked about at state board meetings and conferences that never makes it back to the membership. I feel if they all knew what I did, they would be as fired up as I am.

My biggest mentor is the reason I am doing this today. “Back in the day,” a customer of mine at the auto parts store introduced me to ABATE when I told him I was going to buy a motorcycle. He took me everywhere—to every meeting, every event, every conference—and he was truly passionate about the organization. We became best friends and the three of us—Goofy, my husband-at-the-time, and I–rode everywhere together. Seven years ago, Goofy died from the result of a motorcycle crash. I felt it was my duty to honor him by continuing on his legacy. When I get burned out, I sit at his gravesite and have a beer with him, and he re-energizes me. He was always there for me when I needed him, and I am doing what I can to pay that back.

About a year into becoming an ABATE member, I said to Goofy, who was our Regional Rep, that I wasn’t really impressed with the knowledge of our Regional Legislative Rep. Next thing I knew, I was our new Legislative Rep. LOL! That kick in the shorts was my steppingstone for learning to absorb as much knowledge as I can. Which has led me to moving up in leadership roles and receiving recognition for my work, along with becoming a speaker at conferences where I could share my knowledge and encourage others to be successful. All of that has helped me gain more self-confidence, which has helped in my professional life as well.

I have a lot of anxiety about the lackadaisical manners of many bikers. Where’s the passion?! Where’s the concern for losing your lifestyle?! Why aren’t they fighting for their freedoms? I hate this “it won’t happen to me” attitude.

My goal is to motivate and educate as many bikers and non-bikers as possible and to wake them up and teach them how important it is to fight for our freedoms. Because once they are gone, they are gone.

I hope you are able to join us in Des Moines, Iowa September 22-24th for a conference like no other! The vast knowledge and experience that speakers have to offer is invaluable.

The MRF will also be setting our Legislative Agenda for 2023 at Meeting of the Minds so stay tuned for what is coming down the pipe.

As always, stay vigilant, my friends!

Jen

Jennifer Abraham

ABATE of WI

Board of Directors

MRF State Rep