Michèle is humble. She accepts her Corridor of Fame medal and her plaque with a handshake from Jeff Swartz as she steps as much as the microphone. She thanks everybody for being right here to have fun this event, however particularly calls out her daughter and two granddaughters who’re within the viewers as properly. It’s touching to see the hero earlier than me mild up when she sees her household within the room.
The primary time I met Michèle, I picked her up from the Seattle airport when she landed into city for our 2023 DirtFish Ladies in Motorsport Summit. I may need been shaking. I walked the road between overwhelming pleasure in assembly my hero and the small voice of concern that she wouldn’t be just like the Michèle Mouton I had made up in my head after years of watching her. Of being impressed by her.
I shouldn’t have nervous. As a result of earlier than I may let the anxiousness settle in, she handed me a bag of lovely macaroons she’d hand-carried from Luxembourg. She smiled, gave me a hug, a kiss on every cheek, and, as soon as we obtained within the automotive, advised me that she “couldn’t think about why so many individuals have been all for listening to her communicate.”
My jaw dropped. She had no concept – really, no concept – what kind of influence she’d had on numerous little ladies. On numerous younger ladies. On numerous grownup males.
