Bessie Stringfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bessie B. Stringfield
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| Born |
Bessie Beatrice White
February or March 1911, or March 1912 |
| Died | February 16, 1993 (age 81 or 82) |
| Other names | Betsy Leonora Ellis, "The Motorcycle Queen of Miami" |
| Occupation | Motorcyclist, Courier, Nurse, Housekeeper |
Bessie Stringfield (born around 1911 or 1912 – died 1993) was an amazing American motorcyclist. She was known as the "Motorcycle Queen of Miami." Bessie was the first African-American woman to ride a motorcycle across the United States all by herself. She also worked for the US Army during World War II as a civilian motorcycle courier. Bessie Stringfield helped break down barriers for both women and African-American motorcyclists. Because of her achievements, she was honored in the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. An award for top female motorcyclists is even named after her.
Early Life and Adventures
Bessie Stringfield was born Bessie Beatrice White. Some records say she was born in North Carolina. Other stories she told said she was born in Kingston, Jamaica. When she was young, her parents passed away. An Irish woman adopted and raised her in Boston.
When Bessie was 16, she taught herself to ride her first motorcycle. It was a 1928 Indian Scout. In 1930, at age 19, she began traveling across the United States. She made seven more long trips across the country. Eventually, she rode through all 48 lower states. She also rode in Europe, Brazil, and Haiti.
While traveling, Bessie earned money by doing motorcycle stunts. She performed in carnival shows. Because of her skin color, Bessie often could not find a place to stay. So, she would sleep on her motorcycle at gas stations. She also faced unfairness because she was a woman. She was sometimes denied prizes in races she won.
World War II and Beyond
During World War II, Bessie Stringfield helped the US Army. She worked as a civilian courier. This meant she carried important documents between army bases. She trained hard and rode her own blue Harley-Davidson motorcycle. In four years, she crossed the United States eight times for the Army.
Bessie often faced racism during her travels. Once, a white man in a truck purposely knocked her off her motorcycle. She also had trouble with police officers. They would often pull her over without a good reason. To stop this, she met with the police captain. They went to a park, and Bessie showed off her riding skills. The captain was impressed and gave her permission to ride freely. After that, she had no more trouble with the police.
Later, Bessie became a nurse. She also started the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club. Her amazing skills at motorcycle shows made her famous. The local newspapers called her "The Negro Motorcycle Queen." This name later changed to "The Motorcycle Queen of Miami." She kept this nickname for the rest of her life.
Personal Life
Bessie Stringfield was married several times. She kept the last name of her third husband, Arthur Stringfield. She was also a Catholic.
Bessie rode motorcycles right up until her death. She passed away in 1993 from a heart condition.
Legacy and Recognition
In 2000, the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) created an award. It is called the "Bessie Stringfield Memorial Award." This award honors amazing achievements by female motorcyclists. Bessie Stringfield was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.
In 1990, the AMA honored her in an exhibition. It was called "Heroes of Harley-Davidson." Bessie had owned 27 Harley-Davidson motorcycles in her lifetime.
In 2017, a short film about Bessie Stringfield was released online. It was called "Meet Bessie Stringfield, the Black ‘Motorcycle Queen’." The 2020 HBO series Lovecraft Country also included a tribute to Bessie Stringfield.
