Bessie Stringfield – A True Rebel with a Cause
In recognition of Black History Month, I decided to do some research on the very phenomenal Bessie Stringfield, credited as the first black woman to ride across the United States solo.
Ms. Stringfield was noted with breaking down barriers for both women and African American motorcyclists. As I read her story, I thought to myself “WOW…what an amazing black womanâ€! I marveled at the life of this great woman born. Born in Kingston, Jamaica Bessie moved to Boston with her parents where at the tender age of five, her parents unfortunately passed away. This little black girl was then adopted and raised by an Irish woman.
Ms. Stringfield taught herself how to ride her first motorcycle, a 1928 Indian Scout, at the age of sweet sixteen. Her drive to ride was infinite. Ms. Stringfield rode across the United States traveling through 48 states. She also rode through Europe, Brazil and Haiti all while at the very young age of 19. This woman of color was a force to be reckoned with. Ms. Stringfield performed motorcycle stunts in carnival shows to earn money. She faced many challenges as a black woman and was often denied accommodations while traveling. Ms. Stringfield would merely pull up to gas stations and sleep on her motorcycle. She entered and won flat track races, but was denied prizes because she was a woman and no doubt because she was a black woman.
Ms. Stringfield worked for the U.S. Army during World War II as a dispatch rider. Her mission was carrying documents between domestic army bases. Within four years of working for the Army, she crossed the United States eight times encountering racism on the way. While traveling in the South, Ms. Stringfield was deliberately knocked down by a white male in a pickup truck.
Ms. Stringfield moved to Miami, Florida in the 1950s. She was told by a local police officer that “nigger women are not allowed to ride motorcyclesâ€. That went in one ear and out the other. Ms. Stringfield continued on her quest and qualified as a nurse in Miami. It’s there that she founded the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club. Ms. Stringfield gained the attention of the local press with her skills and antics at motorcycle shows. Her performances lead her to the nickname “The Negro Motorcycle Queen†which was later changed to “The Motorcycle Queen of Miamiâ€. She proudly carried that nickname for the remainder of her life.
Ms. Stringfield owed 27 Harley-Davidson motorcycles. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) paid tribute to her in their inaugural “Heroes of Harley-Davidson†exhibition. The AMA created the “Bessie Stringfield Award†in 2000 to recognize outstanding achievement by a female motorcyclist. Ms. Stringfield was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002. The award bestowed by the AMA for “Superior Achievement by a Female Motorcyclist†is named in her honor.
At the blessed age of 82, Ms. Stringfield died from a heart condition in 1993. She rode right up until the time of her death. Hail to this pioneer African-American Female Motorcyclist for her contribution, dedication, enthusiasm and inspiration in paving the road for women motorcycle riders!
(photo credit AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame)
Peace,
Debra aka Lady D
Independent Rider
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