Women’s Automotive Education

Great Bear Auto Repair, a cornerstone of Flushing, Queens, NY, since 1933, today not only continues its tradition of exemplary service but also leads an innovative educational outreach for women. Women’s Automotive Education. Founded by Audra Fordin‘s great-grandfather, the shop has evolved under Fordin’s leadership to become a sanctuary of learning and empowerment in an industry typically dominated by men.

From a young age, Fordin was immersed in the world of automotive repair, learning the trade alongside her father. Her deep connection to the family business and her inherent understanding of vehicles set her on a path to leadership, eventually making her the first woman to run the family business.

“You know where you’re little and your mind is like a sponge? You naturally absorb whatever’s going on in your environment. And it just kind of made sense for me,” Fordin told WABC-TV New York.

Challenges of Women

Recognizing the challenges women face in understanding automotive terminology and maintenance, Fordin spearheaded the creation of Women Auto Know. This organization aims to demystify car mechanics for women, providing them with the knowledge and confidence to handle automotive issues.

“I have a way of communicating about the car, relating it to things people understood,” said Fordin. By breaking down complex mechanical concepts into relatable terms, she has made automotive care more accessible.

Women Auto Know conducts workshops that offer both technical knowledge and hands-on experience. “You don’t know what you don’t know and if nobody told you, well then you need a resource where you can get that information,” Fordin said.

Audra Fordin is the founder and CEO of Women Auto Know (WAK), a membership-driven company, with a primary focus on women, which provides automotive education and resources to empower people of all ages to be safe, confident and knowledgeable drivers, passengers and automotive consumers.

Take the Fear Out

She has made it her mission to take the fear out of auto repair. A certified mechanic, fourth-generation auto shop owner and a pioneer in the automotive industry, she founded Women Auto Know in 2009 to do just that.

Audra’s professional licenses and certifications include ATTP (automotive training program), New York State Department of Motor Vehicle Inspector, NYS DMV Automotive Excellence Program, New York State Motorcycle Inspector, Certified in Air Conditioning Refrigerant, ASE certified.

She has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, ABC News, New York Daily News, Despierta America, NY1, Huffington Post and many others. She has formed partnerships with leaders in industry, government, and education and serves on many advisory committees and expert panels.

Since she was five years old, Audra has been fascinated by cars. Her great-grandfather founded Great Bear Auto Repair and Body Shop in 1933 and Audra started out working alongside her father in the family garage. She soon realized that she was different from most other girls. Instead of playing with dolls, Audra was playing with car batteries and oil filters. She started in the office answering the phone. As soon as she was old enough to count, she got moved to stocking parts and inventory control. When she was old enough to drive, she discovered that she knew more about her car than her driving instructor. Her next step was to become a certified auto mechanic.

First Female Owner

In 2007, Audra became the first female full owner of her family’s business. A fixture in the Flushing, New York community.  A true family operation, her father, uncles and cousins have all worked as auto mechanics there, and over the years. Audra’s family has provided service to thousands of drivers.

Although the automotive world was part of her DNA, Audra realized that other women were oblivious to their cars’ issues. She determined that she had to find a way to encourage other women to be accountable and responsible for their vehicle maintenance. She began to take the time to educate them.

Audra lives in Roslyn, New York with her husband Ed, whom she met at the shop, and their three children Sammy, Olivia, and Andrew.

Source: Women’s Automotive Education

https://www.womenautoknow.com/

Queens Auto Repair Shop Pioneers Women’s Automotive Education