Image Credit, Ann Ferrar
Bessie Stringfield also known as the “Motorcycle Queen of Miami,” was an American motorcyclist who was the first African American woman to ride across the United States solo.
Credited with breaking down barriers for both women and African American motorcyclists, Stringfield was posthumously inducted into the American Motorcycle Hall of Fame in 2002.
The New York Times has included Bessie’s obituary in its Overlooked series.
My computer support tech introduced me to Bessie’s legacy 10 years ago. When I picked up my laptop after a repair he asked me, “have you ever heard of Bessie Stringfield?” I said, “No clue.” He wrote down Bessie’s name on a slip of paper, shared the relevant tidbit and said, “look her up.” He thought I would relate: I’m a Black woman who rides a motorbike solo and full time in the state of Florida.