"I ask that… all of you celebrate my life and everything I stand for. I ask that you do everything in your power to share my mission, what I put my entire life on the line for. To reveal to this world what they are capable of, by showing them the confidence and abilities they already possess.”
Jessi Combs
As we reported, Jessi Combs was killed in a crash on August 27 while trying to set a land speed record in the Alvord Desert aboard the North American Eagle, a jet-car made from a 17-meter Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.
The Jessi Combs Foundation
Jessi's mission in life was to "explore the relationship between women and machine, as a means to continually push and break stereotypical boundaries." To honor and celebrate Jessi Combs, was created a foundation.
The foundation is inspired by Jessi’s world view of showing the world all that we are capable of.
Throughout her life Combs sought to explore the relationship between women and machine, as a means to continually push and break stereotypical boundaries. As one of the few prominent female fabricators of her era, she endeavored to create programs and safe spaces that encouraged education and dialog about the industrial arts for women. Jessi Combs: Life at Full Speed seeks to further that effort, establishing a base for which “The Jessi Combs Foundation" can grow.
The mission of the foundation is to EDUCATE, INSPIRE and EMPOWER the next generation of female trailblazers and stereotype-breakers. Its guiding principle is the simple question “What would Jessi Do?”. With the support of our friends and partners we can empower a generation of females to think broader and creatively.
Educate
- Trades were important to Jessi, the very vehicle that provided so many opportunities for her. The foundation will distribute individual scholarships and in-kind partner donations to educational institutions and learning centers to continually be a driving force behind the next generation of female tradespeople
- Live event workshops will allow the foundation to keep alive and well the one-on-one interactions that Jessi loved so much
Inspire
- This will resonate via in-house projects, as the foundation looks to continually set new bars on her behalf
- The foundation will continually utilize our voice to shine light on those whose achievements, talents and art inspire others
Empower
- Grants and Event Sponsorships will be the primary tools to support the efforts of events or attempted achievements that align with the barrier smashing attitude Jessi embodied
“Set no boundaries, get out and play, be creative, go fast and take chances, and never give up” Jessi Combs
Click on the pictures to support the Jessi Combs Foundation
About Jessi Combs
Builder, racer and entrepreneur Jessi Combs sped through life in a hurry. Born in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Combs established a career path in fabrication early in life, earning a degree in Custom Automotive Fabrication at WyoTech, debuting her first custom project at Specialty Equipment Marketing Association’s (SEMA) show in 2004. Combs’ unique skill set and personality led her to many host appearances on television shows which she used to gain experience but also to further define her identity as a metal fabricator, builder, industrial artist and driver.
As a racer, Combs competed in endurance challenges such as the Baja 1000, the all-women’s Rallye Aicha des Gazelles and became the first female to ever place at Ultra4's King of the Hammers, achieving a class win in 2014. In 2013, Combs became the fastest woman on four-wheels with the North American Eagle Supersonic Speed Challenger, holding a record of 398 mph with a top speed of 483.227 mph. On August 27th, 2019 Combs was killed in a crash while attempting to set another speed record.