Monica Secondio, (izda) and Ilaria Salzano junto al Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint. Photo. Camilla Albertini para Museo Fratelli Cozzi
The Women’s Worldwide Car Of The Year (WWCOTY) recognizes the importance of sisterhood as a key element in amplifying women’s voices and demonstrating that fighting prejudice is possible. This message is further strengthened through its itinerant nature, as showcased by the exhibition “Women and Engines? Joys and… and stop (without prejudice)” organized by the Friends of the Fratelli Cozzi Museum Association, with the participation of the Italian jurors of WWCOTY. The collaborative project, involving 38 women, united by a passion for automobiles, took part thanks to twenty Alfa Romeo cars from the museum’s prestigious collection. The exhibition features over 60 vehicles that symbolize Made in Italy, highlighting a journey from the Dolce Vita to contemporary design.
THE EXHIBITION
Created specifically to challenge gender stereotypes, and after addressing themes such as respect, elegance, and the beauty of photographic portraits featuring women and cars, this year’s the exhibition highlights the theme of sisterhood, as commented by President Elisabetta Cozzi, also the founder of the “Woman in Power” movement:
“Once again, we have tried to shatter a stereotype: that “women cannot work as a team”. The ability to work in a team and be part of a ‘team’ is not gender-specific. This is why we chose ‘Sisterhood’ as the central theme for the third edition.”
The protagonists of the exhibition were able to highlight “the sister” with whom they share a special relationship, whether professional or personal. The group had the opportunity to meet and get to know each other before the official inauguration: the preview took place at the Milan Autoclassica fair, a renowned event for enthusiasts and industry professionals that has been held for 14 years. The exhibition will continue its journey across various regions, stopping at institutions and schools with the ultimate goal of overcoming discriminatory culture. The project, sponsored by Mawdy Services and Pirelli, with media partners Quattroruote and Ruoteclassiche, has received prestigious patronage from LIUC University, ACI Storico, ASI, and FIVA.
WWCOTY AND SISTERHOOD
The Italian jurors took part in the project with the goal of making the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women not just a commemorative occasion, but a starting point for reflection that can transcend time and place, traveling through the venues of the exhibition.
The concept of sisterhood is at the heart of WWCOTY, which was founded in 2009. The need, felt by Sandy Mhrye, now President alongside Marta Garcia (executive President), was to amplify women’s voices by uniting with other female professionals in an industry where, despite working hard and holding prominent roles, female journalists were often overlooked.
This led to the creation of WWCOTY, the first global car award voted exclusively by women experts in the automotive field, representing markets around the world. This decision was not made to exclude other genders but to protect and amplify women’s voices. Over a decade later, the jury has grown to 81 members representing 55 countries, and WWCOTY has become a prestigious automotive award group that recognizes the best cars in the world, both by category and overall.
Monica and Ilaria had their photo taken with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint. This model debuted 70 years ago and was the first car in the Alfa Romeo range to bear a female name. The car gained popularity, particularly among the upper-middle class, and became a symbol of Italy’s post-war “economic boom.” Notably, the Giulietta Sprint was dubbed the “fiancée of Italy.” In 1954, few women in Italy were behind the wheel.
“Women know how to work as a team. We have been demonstrating this with actions for years,” comments Marta Garcia, President of WWCOTY. “I am extremely proud that the Italian WWCOTY jurors, Ilaria Salzano and Monica Secondino, are part of this exhibition celebrating the role of women. This is yet another example of the decisive impact that the Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year has, not only in the world of motoring but also in other areas of society.”
Access to all the photos of the exhibition
The testimonials
Alfa Romeo Giulia SS
Martina Semenzato – Honorable President of the Parliamentary Inquiry Committee on Femicide and all forms of gender-based violence
Claudia Segre – President and Founder of the Global Thinking Foundation. Vice President of AssoFintech and Co-Chair of Women7/G7 Italy
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Freccia d’Oro
Maria Leitner – Senior Editor at Rai Tg2. Presenter, author, and coordinator of Tg2 Motori. Former Formula 1 correspondent for TMC. Author of the book “The Art of Driving” with Miki Biasion. WFP Ambassador.
Barbara Gabarrini Confalonieri – Entrepreneur and globe-trotter in the industrial printing and fashion distribution sectors
Alfa Romeo RZ Roadster Zagato
Rita Paparella – Nuclear engineer, PhD in particle physics. Freelance journalist and technical consultant for industrial innovation and R&D projects
Irma Conti – National Ombudsman for persons deprived of liberty. Supreme Court lawyer specializing in criminal law. Member of the Rome Bar Council. President of the Women Lawyers Italy Association
Alfa Romeo 2600 Spider Touring Superleggera
Chiara Viale – Author of the book “Lidia and the Others: Equal Opportunities Yesterday and Today. The Legacy of Lidia Poët.” Lawyer. Head of D&I at A&A – Albè e Associati Law Firm.
Federica Bottini – Lawyer specializing in commercial law. Associate at A&A – Albè e Associati Law Firm
Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto
Tiziana Vallone – Chartered Accountant and Board Member. Vice President of Manageritalia. National Advisor of Aidda
Maria Letizia Giorgetti – Associate Professor of Applied Economics, Department of Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, UNIMI. Scientific Committee Member of Women&Tech
Alfa Romeo AR 51 (Matta)
Eugenia Capanna – Driver and Team Manager in Motorsport. CEO of MTS – Motorsport Technical School
Francesca Gaspari – Photographer, and motorcycle rally racer. Ambassador of the Italian Women’s Motorcycling Federation. Dakar 2025 Co-Driver
Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint
Giuliana Parabiago (with her dog Oscar) – Fashion and lifestyle journalist. Author, consultant for Pitti Immagine and Sposaitalia. Fashion History teacher at the Raffles Institute
Nataša Grom – Vice President of FIVA Culture and Youth. Head of the Slovenian Federation of Historic Vehicles (SVAMZ). Public Relations at the Grom Motorcycle Museum
Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Spider
Laura Lavizzari – Senior Project Manager at the Fratelli Cozzi Museum. Volunteer at Refettorio Ambrosiano
Elisabetta Cozzi – Founder and President of the Fratelli Cozzi Museum. President of the Friends of the Fratelli Cozzi Museum Association
Alfa Romeo Giulietta T.I.
Desiree Baldini – PR & Media Relations Consultant, focused on human relationships, regardless of gender. From food to automotive, specializing in classic & vintage cars
Gioia Sottocasa – PR & Media Relations Consultant. Expert in sustainability communication
Alfa Romeo Formula Boxer
Maria Paola Stola Ariusso – Founder of STUDIOTORINO. Lecturer at IED Torino. Volunteer for the ASI Commission of Manufacturers and Designers. Classic car collector
Federica Levy – Driver for Team Attack Italia and Ferrari Challenge Europe 2024 test driver. Student at the University of Turin
Alfa Romeo 1750 GT Veloce
Rachele Grassini – President and founder of Politics Hub. Trainee lawyer at Latham & Watkins
Carolina Sardelli – Journalist and presenter. Collaborates with Mediaset and the social media journalism agency Rassy. Focuses on the EU and hard news
Alfa Romeo Montreal
Alessia del Corona – Director of the Italia Patria della Bellezza Foundation. Councillor for culture and territorial marketing at the Municipality 1 of Milan
Federica Sala – Independent curator & design advisor. Editor-in-Chief of The Good Life Italia and Lamborghini Magazine
Alfa Romeo 4C
Himara Bottini – Entrepreneur and owner of Bottini1946, a family business active in classic and collectible cars for three generations
Francesca Azzali – Deputy Editorial Director of Cavallino and Founding Member of Canossa
Alfa Romeo SZ Sprint Zagato
Beatrice Lerose – Pirelli Motorsport Tyre Performance Engineer
Marta Gasparin – Head of Pirelli Motorsport Commercial Operations and Marketing
Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider
Sara Croce – Director of Human Resources at Mawdy and Mawdy Services
Cecilia Tabarelli – Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications at Mawdy and Mawdy Services
Alfa Romeo Giulia TI Super
Marta Modena – Law student. Future President of the Constitutional Court
Claudia De Lillo, alias Elasti – Journalist, writer, and radio presenter
Alfa Romeo Giulia Sprint
Daniela Bramati – President and CEO of SEV S.p.A. Board Member of the BPM Foundation. Member of the ANSA Board and Executive Committee. Member of the Varese Chamber of Commerce. FIEG Council Member
Paola Ferrario – Administrative and HR Manager at SEV S.p.A.
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint
Monica Secondino – Portfolio Manager, Freelance Journalist. Founder of Donne in Auto. Juror of Women’s Worldwide Car of The Year
Ilaria Salzano – Automotive Journalist. Juror of Women’s Worldwide Car of The Year
Alfa Romeo 155 Q4 “Speed Record”
Martina Rabbolini – Paralympic swimmer, blind. Biologist and nutritionist, first in Europe in her field. Brand Ambassador for e-work and promoter of inclusion and personal growth
Alessia Branca – Pedagogue. Special Needs Teacher
Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato
Yuko Noguchi – Journalist and historical research coordinator for classic cars. Collaborates with Japanese journals
Francesca Stanguellini – Director of the Stanguellini Museum. Paralympic athlete
