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Women Pioneers:
Honoring Women Making Motorcycle History
Linda "Jo" Giovannoni
 Self-proclaimed “gearhead” Linda “Jo” Giovannoni holds dear the natural pull that swept her into the motorcycle life and industry. She overcame her fear of riding and grew beyond the "parts' salesgirl" status to evolve into one of the most influential woman moto-journalist…this lady has moxy. After starting the second chapter of Women In The Wind in 1983, she began to write a monthly newsletter for the group and popularity sprung. She and her WITW co-hort, Cris Sommer Simmons, decided to travel to Milwaukee in 1985 to rally for a women’s motorcycle culture magazine. Harley-Davidson amused by the idea, gave them a three issue deal called “Harley Woman,” which was so well received that it ran until 1997. Honoring all her accomplishments, the Motorcycle Hall of Fame inducted her in 1996 as the fifth woman ever to carry this distinction. Not only was the motorcycle world smitten with her, but also such people as Geraldo, NPR, and even The Vicki Lawrence Show (Carole Burnett’s sidekick) caught wind of her and had her grace their stage to tell the tale of the woman rider. These days, Jo still tours the country making appearances and putting her two-cents in here and there but Open Road Radio is where she has found yet another avenue for her voice in the motorcycle frontier: talk radio with Gina Woods. Helmet Hair extends enormous gratitude towards this incredible woman for paving the way for many of us! Our helmets off to you, Jo! We couldn’t have done this without you!
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