Posted by Founder of Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year, Sandy Myhre reflects on her remarkable journey, the changing role of women in motoring and why her new book, One Lady Owner, is ultimately a story about confidence, opportunity and belonging.
By Shereen Shabnam
Long before the automotive industry began speaking openly about diversity and inclusion, Sandy Myhre was already driving change. A respected New Zealand motoring journalist, author and motorsport advocate, she recognised that women around the world deserved not only a place behind the wheel, but an equal voice in shaping conversations about mobility.
That vision led to the creation of Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY), today the only global automotive awards judged exclusively by women motoring journalists. What began as a bold idea has grown into an influential international organisation whose jurors represent more than 50 countries across five continents.
My own journey with Sandy began because of that vision. She discovered my work as the regions first and only female motoring jury on a regional car awards panel and invited me to become one of the judges for WWCOTY. Since then, I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary group of women who share a genuine passion for cars, driving and responsible automotive journalism.
Now Sandy is telling her own story. Her new book, One Lady Owner: Memoirs of a Motoring Madam, is part memoir, part history lesson and part celebration of the women who have helped shape the automotive and motorsport industries.
Drawing on decades of experience, the book explores everything from buying cars with confidence and understanding new technologies to the remarkable, and often overlooked, contributions women have made throughout motoring history. Beneath its warmth and humour lies a simple but powerful message: women should never feel intimidated by the automotive world.
Having watched Sandy inspire generations of women through WWCOTY, it felt fitting to speak with her about the journey behind the book, the lessons learned throughout her career and why she believes the next generation of women have every reason to feel confident taking their place in the industry.
In Conversation with Sandy Myhre
- What inspired you to write One Lady Owner and share your journey now?
It had been building for a long time and the time availability wasn’t there. But over the past two years that time availability manifested and I thought, why not?
- Was there a defining moment that convinced you this book needed to be written?
Again, it was a time thing but I had finished a biography of a motor dealer in Australia (which isn’t going to be published!) and I thought, it’s about time -so that’s how it started, I just sat down and began. It took about two years to finish.
- How much of the book reflects your own experiences in a male-dominated industry?
Quite a bit reflects that but there are other parts to the book that reflect the female experience with the industry. Also, there are the educational parts such as chapters on alternative fuels, natural car parts, motorsport women and design women, when to buy a car and so on.
- What message did you most want readers to take away from the book?
I hope the message is for all women that they do not need to feel intimidated or insecure when buying a car, driving one, in fact, with anything to do with cars or the motor industry.
- How did your work with WWCOTY influence the stories and themes you chose to include?
Not very much. But WWCOTY is really important in the collective voice it has. This book is for all women.
- What surprised you most about yourself while writing this book?
How long my career was! I had to dig a long way back to remember some things but, really, it was my life story and I was in a unique position to tell it. There are not many women as members of the NZ Motoring Writers’ Guild, still not (only two) and when I think how the book panned out, I realise I am still in a unique position.
- How have opportunities for women in motoring and motorsport changed since you began your career?
Change is happening. Sometimes it feels the pace is glacial but at other times the industry, in particular, is noting the influence of women customers and that’s, in part, due to WWCOTY. As for motor sport, more women are participating now than ever before but they are still by far in the minority. I hope this book encourages those women who want to race, to race! And encourages women not to feel insecure when buying a car or driving one.
- What advice would you give to young women hoping to build a career in the automotive world?
Just go for it! There are so many opportunities open to women to join the industry, to become mechanics, to be a part of the management team of a dealership or even to become part of a motor sport team in whatever role they feel they could do. They just need to think a little more expansively.
- Which chapter or story is closest to your heart and why? Absolutely Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year. I start and finish with that so it’s very close to my heart. It has grown and grown and that’s due to Marta Garcia getting more and more judges every month, she has done a spectacular job.
- If you could sum up One Lady Owner in one sentence, what would it be?
I hope this book makes women realise they can be anything they want in the motor industry and they can venture in to motorsport if they choose, without feeling insecure in either.
Having worked alongside Sandy through Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year, I have seen first-hand the generosity and determination that have defined her career. She has created opportunities for women who may never have crossed paths otherwise, building a global community bound by professionalism, respect and a shared love of motoring. One Lady Owner is a reminder of how one person’s vision can inspire countless others to find their own voice behind the wheel.
WHERE TO BUY:
Austin Macauley : One Lady Owner | Austin Macauley Publishers
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/One-Lady-Owner-Memoirs-Motoring-ebook/dp/B0GX2ZYM8L/
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/One-Lady-Owner-Memoirs-Motoring/dp/1037110889/
Paperplus: (NZ) One Lady Owner by Sandy Myhre | Paper Plus
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