A legacy of strength. A future of opportunity
- smithc486
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Celebrating International Women’s Day
From our first female member in 1939 to the riders pushing boundaries today, women have always been — and will always be — at the heart of our club. It’s something we’re especially proud to recognise on International Women’s Day, a global moment celebrating the achievements of women while calling for continued progress toward true equality.
Women have shaped our story for generations. Back in May 1939, Miss Florrie J. Newbery became the first woman to join the club, bringing “energy and enthusiasm” as she championed the proposal for women to be part of what was then the Southend & County Wheelers. Despite early doubts that “the girls will never be able to keep up”, our women have been proving that wrong ever since — often leaving their male counterparts chasing wheels.
Today, around one‑third of our membership is female, and we’re committed to making that number grow. That’s why our recent recognition as a British Cycling Focus Club for 2026 feels especially meaningful. This national accreditation — the only one awarded in Essex — will help us introduce even more women and girls to cycling through confidence‑building coaching, supportive club rides, and long‑term participation pathways. As part of this, we’ll be delivering girls‑only coaching sessions within our youth programme throughout April, May and the summer holidays.
This commitment continues into the wider cycling community too. We’ll be proudly supporting the Women’s Festival of Cycling (7–13 June) with a series of welcoming, introductory rides designed to help new riders experience the sport in a friendly, inclusive environment.
And of course, the legacy of our pioneering first female member lives on in the Florrie Newbery Classic — a National B women’s road race and part of the British Women’s Team Cup Series — taking place this year on 19 April. It’s a powerful reminder of how far women’s cycling has come, and how much further we can go together.
Success starts here* — and every woman’s story matters.
Find out more about International Womens Day here: https://www.internationalwomensday.com
Find out more about the Florrie Newbery Classic Road Race here: https://www.southendwheelers.org/racing/theflorrienewberyclassic
Find out more about our Youth Coaching programme here: https://www.southendwheelers.org/youthcycling
Find out more about our club runs here: https://www.southendwheelers.org/clubrides
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*Success means different things to different riders—joining your first club run, competing in an event, conquering an off-road challenge, finishing your first charity ride to standing on the podium.
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