Stringfield, Bessie B. (1912–1993)

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Stringfield, Bessie B. (1912–1993)

African-American motorcyclist. Name variations: BB; Motorcycle Queen of Miami. Born Mar 5, 1912, in Kingston, Jamaica; died Feb 1993 in Opalocka, FL; married and divorced 6 times.

Motorcycling pioneer, rode 1st bike (1928 Indian Scout) at 16; took 8 long-distance solo rides across America (1930s–40s); during WWII, served as civilian motorcycle dispatch rider; worked as stunt rider; settled in Miami, FL, and became a licensed practical nurse and founder of the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club; featured at inaugural exhibit of American Motorcycling Association (AMA) on Women in Motorcycling (1990); owned 27 Harleys in her lifetime. The Bessie Stringfield Award of the AMA honors women leaders in motorcycling; inducted into Motorcycle Hall of Fame (2002).