Guest post: GW Gibson on The “Motorcycle Queen of Miami” – Bessie StringfieldPublished 6 October 2014 | By Mama Kitty In 1911 a queen was born in Kingston Jamaica. Bessie Stringfield taught herself to ride a motorcycle at 16 and spent a large part of her life taking on the establishment, especially through biases of the 1930s, 40s, and 50s. At 19 she commenced what was to become a life long journey across not only America and other parts of the world but across the racial and sexual divides of the time.
She used a unique method to select her destinations. A coin flicked into the air landed on an opened map, its resting place became the next great adventure. Using this technique, Bessie made eight journeys into the deep south of the USA during a period when prejudice was at an all time high.
The cards were stacked against Bessie no matter which way she turned. Three things, things she had no power to change even if she wanted to, were against her: she was a woman, she was black and finally she knew how to ride. Such were the biases of the time, Bessie regularly entered into and won flat track races. Such was the fragility of the male ego of the day, once soundly beaten by a woman they responded in the only way they could – just not give her the prize and recognise her achievements.
The bias barrier began breaking down during world war two when Bessie took on the role of a motorcycle courier for the US Army ferrying document between military bases. In 1950 Bessie moved to Miami where the local police let her know in no uncertain terms “women of her race were not allowed to ride motorcycles.” History shows she did the only thing she could – ignore them and went on to create a name for herself riding in motorcycle shows and later founding the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club.
The best way to silence critics is to be successful. In 1990 the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) paid tribute to her in their inaugural “Heroes of Harley Davidson” exhibition. Bessie rode until she passed in 1993 of a heart condition, never seeing the establishment by the AMA of the “Bessie Stringfield Memorial Award” recognising outstanding achievement by a female motorcyclist and her induction into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2002.
If you want to know more about this amazing woman check out the links below.
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=277
http://motorcyclesandwomen.com/motorcycle-women/women-and-motorcycles/motorcycle-women-stories/108-famous-women-motorcycle-riders
ABOUT GUY GIBSON:
After wandering over various parts of mother earth for more than twenty years as a soldier, I decided it was time to settle down and get on with what everybody else calls life.
My beautiful partner and author, Eva Scott and I nestled into a small coastal town north of Brisbane Australia after meeting in the wilds of Papua New Guinea some years ago. I spend a considerable amount of time editing Eva’s books for her before they make their way off the publisher. One day she suggested I try writing myself – so here we are. Until now all of my writing has been in the business space; expanding out from there is a challenge I am enjoying very much.
When I’m not spending time with our family enjoying living close to the beach, or working you will find me rattling my old Harley around the hills and highways just for the sheer pleasure of riding – warm balmy nights are the best; wrapped in a blanket of darkness with only the dash lights, vibration and exhaust for company, it is literally the closest thing to flying you will ever experience.
Ride safely, Write with passion
She used a unique method to select her destinations. A coin flicked into the air landed on an opened map, its resting place became the next great adventure. Using this technique, Bessie made eight journeys into the deep south of the USA during a period when prejudice was at an all time high.
The cards were stacked against Bessie no matter which way she turned. Three things, things she had no power to change even if she wanted to, were against her: she was a woman, she was black and finally she knew how to ride. Such were the biases of the time, Bessie regularly entered into and won flat track races. Such was the fragility of the male ego of the day, once soundly beaten by a woman they responded in the only way they could – just not give her the prize and recognise her achievements.
The bias barrier began breaking down during world war two when Bessie took on the role of a motorcycle courier for the US Army ferrying document between military bases. In 1950 Bessie moved to Miami where the local police let her know in no uncertain terms “women of her race were not allowed to ride motorcycles.” History shows she did the only thing she could – ignore them and went on to create a name for herself riding in motorcycle shows and later founding the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club.
The best way to silence critics is to be successful. In 1990 the American Motorcycle Association (AMA) paid tribute to her in their inaugural “Heroes of Harley Davidson” exhibition. Bessie rode until she passed in 1993 of a heart condition, never seeing the establishment by the AMA of the “Bessie Stringfield Memorial Award” recognising outstanding achievement by a female motorcyclist and her induction into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2002.
If you want to know more about this amazing woman check out the links below.
http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/halloffame/detail.aspx?racerid=277
http://motorcyclesandwomen.com/motorcycle-women/women-and-motorcycles/motorcycle-women-stories/108-famous-women-motorcycle-riders
ABOUT GUY GIBSON:
After wandering over various parts of mother earth for more than twenty years as a soldier, I decided it was time to settle down and get on with what everybody else calls life.
My beautiful partner and author, Eva Scott and I nestled into a small coastal town north of Brisbane Australia after meeting in the wilds of Papua New Guinea some years ago. I spend a considerable amount of time editing Eva’s books for her before they make their way off the publisher. One day she suggested I try writing myself – so here we are. Until now all of my writing has been in the business space; expanding out from there is a challenge I am enjoying very much.
When I’m not spending time with our family enjoying living close to the beach, or working you will find me rattling my old Harley around the hills and highways just for the sheer pleasure of riding – warm balmy nights are the best; wrapped in a blanket of darkness with only the dash lights, vibration and exhaust for company, it is literally the closest thing to flying you will ever experience.
Ride safely, Write with passion