Black History Month is a time to celebrate the contributions and accomplishments of African Americans throughout history, and there are few figures more deserving of recognition than Bessie Stringfield.
Born in 1911, Bessie Stringfield was a trailblazer in the world of motorcycle riding. She began riding motorcycles at the age of just 19 and went on to become a pioneering figure in the African American motorcycle community. Despite facing numerous challenges and obstacles as a woman and a person of color in the male-dominated world of motorcycle riding, Stringfield persisted and became known as the “Motorcycle Queen of the Road.”
One of Stringfield’s most impressive accomplishments was her completion of eight solo cross-country trips in the 1930s and 1940s, at a time when very few women, let alone black women, were undertaking such trips. Stringfield rode her motorcycle all over the United States, often in the face of discrimination and hostility.
In addition to her riding achievements, Stringfield was also a highly skilled mechanic and a respected figure in the motorcycle community. She was the first African American member of the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), and was inducted into the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.
Despite her many accomplishments, Stringfield’s legacy has been largely overlooked in the years since her death in 1993. However, in recent years, there has been a renewed interest in her story, and she is now recognized as a pioneering figure in the history of black motorcycle riding.
As we celebrate Black History Month, it is important to honor figures like Bessie Stringfield who broke barriers and pave the way for future generations. Her determination, skill, and spirit continue to be an inspiration to riders of all backgrounds, and her legacy will be remembered for years to come.
