There's been a lot more buzz about Bessie Stringfield in the past few years than there had been in a while, and for good reason. Although the legendary American rider died in 1993, more and more motorcyclists, in the decades since, have been learning about her story and keeping it alive.
In 2024, a short documentary film called To Myself, With Love made the rounds of several film festivals. It only came about after years of research and collaboration from multiple people, and it's those folks who got in touch with Stringfield's estate and were allowed access to many significant items and pieces of history from Bessie's life.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the Harley-Davidson Museum opened a special exhibit on Bessie Stringfield's life at the end of September. Lead curator Ann Sinfield was kind enough to take time to speak with RideApart about the exhibit prior to its opening, and gave us an up-close and personal look at some of the really cool pieces of Stringfield's history that were about to be displayed as part of the exhibition. which will remain open to the general public in the Museum's Clubs and Competitions gallery for the next three years.
Those who know Stringfield's story already know how cool this is, but if you've never heard it before, she's a motorcyclist who started riding as a teenager and just kept going, no matter what. She was a WWII dispatch rider, owned at least 27 motorcycles over her lifetime (most of which were Harleys, though there were a few Indians in there as well), crossed the US on motorcycles at least eight times, and lived her entire life exactly as the proud person she was.
That included being a petite Black woman, and one who was riding across the Jim Crow South. And yet, even despite those two facts existing at the same time, she still didn't let anyone boss her around. Oh, and did I neglect to mention that she was also a stunt rider back in the day? She's your favorite auntie's favorite auntie, no question.
There's a great story about certain outdated AMA rules back when she settled in Miami and went to start a motorcycle club that you'll hear (and see documentation of) in this video. It absolutely made my day when I heard it, and it perfectly encapsulates why so many modern riders still, to this very day, find inspiration in Bessie Stringfield's story.
Because truly, she represents the best of that rebellious streak that seems to run through most (if not all) motorcyclists, to some degree or another. The idea that everyone else can have their opinions and ideas and be wrong all they like, but she's going to go live her life, and she doesn't much care whether she has your approval or not. That ultimately, she would find the people who were for her, and she'd have a great time doing it. In so many ways, Stringfield's story represents so much of what's good about motorcycling, and motorcycle culture at its best.
It's an honor and a privilege to get to share her story once again with the world, and I hope you'll watch this video and experienced that joy and spark for yourself. If you can visit the Harley Museum and see the exhibit in person, so much the better. Because truly, more now than ever, the spirit of Bessie Stringfield is the energy we need in the world.
