Jr. Patriot Report

by John Stumpner
Most TV shows and movies like to portray bikers as tough white guys. But, we know nothing could be further from the truth. One of the pioneers of motorcycling was Bessie Stringfield. During the 1930’s, Bessie was the first African American woman to cross the entire United States. She actually accomplished this feat more than 7 times, both on her own and as a civilian courier for the U.S Army during World War II.

When Bessie was 16 years old, she taught herself to ride a motorcycle. In 1930, at 19 years old, she set off on the first of her cross-country trips. She would raise money for her expenses by doing motorcycle trick riding and stunts at fairs and carnivals. When the United States entered World War II, Bessie completed a difficult training course and became a civilian courier for the army. As a courier, she crisscrossed the United States several times on her own blue, full sized Harley Davidson touring bike. Later, she moved to Miami, Florida where she became a nurse and started the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club. Because of her skill and love of motorcycling, Bessie was given the nickname “the Motorcycle Queen of Miami.”

Bessie encountered many difficulties though. Due to the Jim Crow laws, Bessie was almost always refused service at motels and restaurants. She would stay with other African American families or sleep on her bike. Once, Bessie won a prize at a flat track race. When she took off her helmet to receive her prize, the race officials refused to give it to her. In Miami, the police did not think an African American woman should be riding a motorcycle and harassed her a lot. She finally arranged a meeting with the local police captain and demonstrated her riding abilities so the police would leave her alone.

Through all of the difficulties and problems Bessie encountered, she maintained a positive attitude. In almost all of her pictures, she has a big smile on her face. When she was harassed, she would try to look for the good in others. Her patience, good nature and love for others won many people over. Filling station owners, after meeting with and talking to Bessie, would sometimes even fill her tank for free. Bessie was often asked if she was ever afraid traveling alone as a small (all of 5 feet tall in her boots) African American lady. She would always reply that she was never alone, the “Man Upstairs” was with her.

The American Motorcycle Association has an award named after Bessie and she is of course in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. Sadly, Bessie passed away in 1993. A number of books and articles have since been written about Bessie, including a biography by Ann Ferrar based on three years of interviews. There is even a Bessie Stringfield Facebook page.

Bessie’s life shows what freedom of the road is all about. And this is what we, as members of ABATE of Wisconsin and ABATE of Wisconsin Junior Patriots are all about.

John