The coast of Mississippi is home to a unique GWRRA Chapter—one with an all-female staff. In December of 2000, then retiring Chapter Director Jack Ridgdell approached me with the concept of becoming the new Chapter Director. After much discussion, I decided to accept, if appointed by our District Director and approved by our Regional Director. The year 2001 began with many new officers taking their positions and being introduced to the District at its annual meeting.
While awaiting approval, some of us began to envision that an all-female staff would not only be unique, but very effective for our Chapter. The ladies are veteran GWRRA Members and most have helped their spouses while they served as Chapter B Directors. Each of these women have held (or co-held) all the standard staff positions within the Chapter. Most are Life Members of GWRRA, and all work for a living outside the home. These ladies bring a different point of view towards the running of a Chapter—not better, just different.
Terry Kleinheitz (that’s me) is our Chapter Director. Along with my husband KZ, I have co-held positions on District, Regional and National Staffs. In 1989, KZ and I were selected the National Couple of the Year at Wing Ding in Madison, Wisconsin. I have worked for the U.S. Postal Service for over 22 years as a rural carrier, and I am active in our church. Naturally, I’m most proud of our four children and five grandchildren.
Marlene Brackett is our Assistant Chapter Director. She and her husband Harry were selected COY for the Chapter. Marlene has worked for PFG fiber optics as office manager for over 20 years. She is a proud mother of four children and two grandchildren.
Barbara Wolfe serves as our Chapter Educator. Barbara and Larry Wolfe were selected District COY, and they have helped with the selection process at subsequent District rallies. Barbara is a registered nurse with 20 years experience working in the intensive care and recovery room. She has also been an ACL (Advanced Cardiac Support) instructor for the last 10 years. She is very active in her church. Barbara is the mother of three children and the grandmother of two.
Charlotte Kermiek’s talent is obvious in her work as our Treasurer. She and her husband Herb have held many positions at the Chapter, District and Region level. They are the current District COY. Together they maintain the Region A “goodie” shop. Charlotte is an office clerk for the local Joppa Shrine Temple. She is the mother of two sons, and has four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Cindy Ridgdell, our Ride Coordinator, has been a Member of GWRRA for 12 years and has held many positions within the Chapter. She and her husband Jack were selected District COY. Cindy has been the office manager for their family business, Coast Water Well, for 11 years. She is the mother of four children.
Phyllis Marsh, our Web Mistress, has been a member for 10 years. Along with her husband, they serve as District Web Masters. She is co-owner of a family business and runs the office staff. She and her husband Skip have been host parents for exchange students from Spain for the last 14 years. While in the U.S., these students attend GWRRA safety courses and participate in Chapter rides and activities.
Chapter B is a small Chapter, but you would never know it by the work we do and the charities we support. The Mississippi Burn Center, the South Mississippi Women’s Shelter, St. Jude’s Hospital and many local charities have all benefited from our annual poker runs, fun days and dinners.
We hold three major events each year beginning in January with an annual Chili Cookoff. The ride takes place rain, shine or cold with Members donating gallons of chili and guests supplying “extras.” This event has grown each year with the total attending nearing 300 this past January. We hold an Ides of March Poker Run in March, and a Cornucopia Fun Day in November. At the Mississippi District Rally, our tasks include the bike show. Chapter B originated the multi-media show of winners, now an important part of closing ceremonies.
In May 2001, the entire Chapter took a MRC/RSS beginner course. In the past the ladies had completed the Co-Rider course and the men had completed the ERC. However, few had taken the beginner course. After long hours under the Mississippi sun, the ladies graduated. Now they have a better appreciation of what it takes to safely ride a motorcycle. Each husband was presented an “Our Hero” award at the following business meeting in recognition of his riding abilities.
The “Magnolia Bees” Chapter plans a two-week trek every few years. This event takes a year of planning. The responsibilities for planning each day’s route and activities are determined by random drawing long before the beginning of the trip, making each participant a part of the whole process. Our last trip was to Nova Scotia and the northeastern U.S. The next trip is planned for Yellowstone National Park and the northwestern U.S.
Each year, the Chapter enters the talent show at the MS District rally. In 2000 we won with the dance by the “Tractor Guys.” In 2001 we entered the Talent Show at Wing Ding and won first place in the Humorous Category. Many hours of practice and much encouragement made this possible.
So, if you are ever in southern Mississippi and want to ride, give our Chapter a call. We meet every Tuesday for a dinner ride and host pick-up rides on weekends throughout the year.

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