Pioneering Women in Harley-Davidson History (Photos)
Let's take some time to pay our respects to the ladies who have played their part in riding Harley-Davidson right into the history books.
1. Effie & Avis Hotchkiss- Cross Country Queens
Effie was a Wall Street banking clerk and mother Avis in tow, were the first women to ride Harley's cross country over 5,000 miles in two months. The roads in 1915 were rugged for their V-Twin with a side car. Under adverse weather conditions, Effie did manage to meet her future husband by almost running over him with her bike.
2. Vivian Bales-Enthusiast Girl
Vivian caught the eye of Arthur Davidson the President and Co-founder of the company. Who eventually declared her the Motor Co.'s 'Enthusiast Girl', Featuring her as an iconic trademark which inspired female enthusiasts for decades to come. Pictured above you'll see Vivian Bales on board her beloved 1929 HD model.
3. Laura Klock-Speed Racer
Laura set a world record racing a customized HD Road Glide on the Bonneville Salt Flats going 143.659mph in 2006. Laura doesn't race alone as her daughter, 16 years old at the time, competed for a land speed record at the Speed Trials at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Then a year later her youngest daughter joined her mother and sister out on the Salt Flats to take a try for a record of her own.
4. Dot Robinson- Motor Maids
Dot Robinson started the 'Motor Maids',an all-female club in 1940. Making them the oldest established MC in the world. Attempts were made to prevent her from participating in the racing sport she loved. But she never gave up, paving the way for other women to race in later years.
5. Louise Scherbyn-Women's International Motorcycle Association
Louise Scherbyn initially worried about her reputation but soon overcame that and claims to be the first woman to reach the Timagami Forest of Canada in 1937. She founded the Women's International Motorcycle Association, which still exists today.
6. Bessie Stringfield-Motorcycle Queen of Miami
Bessie Stringfield was the first African-American woman to ride solo across the United Stated in 1930 and was known as the Motorcycle Queen of Miami. In 1990, the AMA honored Stringfield as one of the "Heroes of Harley-Davidson" for a lifetime of breaking down color barriers and advancing the joy of motorcycle riding for women.
7. Margaret Wilson-Golden Gal
Margaret Wilson was awarded the AMA Bessie Stringfield Award in 2003 as this "Golden Gal" rode her bikes over 550,000 miles. Margaret was awarded a Golden Life membership in the Motor Maids Inc. Club for her years of active participation and dedication to the motorcycling culture.
8. Chistine Somme-Simmons- Quintesential Rockstar Motorcyclist
Christine is the author of "The American Motorcycle Girls 1900-1950", a top-selling book about women riders in early American motorcycling history. Christine was also a three-time inductee in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.
Check out her complete profile and also the profiles of women bikers all over the world.
9. 11th Annual International Female Ride Day
The World's largest and only women motorcycle rider event which is synchronized across all the world happens the first weekend in May for the past 11 years. This event is inclusive to all motorcycle types, all manufacturers, all styles, all sizes and all forms are invited to join in and JUST RIDE! If you're interested in joining women all over the world in this historic ride date then just click here for the group's Facebook page for more info.
For help with maintenance and mods on your bike, check out the how-to section of HDForums.com
