Women Ride Too: A Tribute to the Power, Spirit, and Legacy of Female Bikers

From the moment I stepped into the biker world, I was told, "This is a man's world," or "Women belong on the back." But what I discovered—and continue to witness—are women who rise, ride, and refuse to be told where they belong. They don’t ask for permission. They ride because it’s who they are.

Before I spoke to bikers or became involved in the community, I was already drawn to this life. I searched for “women riders,” hoping to find someone I can get to know because I wanted to ride to help lift me after a 10 year divorce/custody/visitation court system journey. That’s when I discovered Women In The Wind. Their patch showed a woman riding forward, hair wild in the wind, embodying power and liberation. I remember thinking, “One day, I’ll meet them.” And I did. What an absolute honor!

Over the years, this journey has taken me across the country—through hills and highways, through heat and heartbreak—and along the way, I’ve met the women who define this world. These aren’t just riders. These are leaders. Mothers. Sisters. Survivors. Warriors. They ride for freedom, for healing, for remembrance, and for the pure, unfiltered love of the wind in their face.

There’s Jodi, the woman who cracked open the truth about what it means to ride free. We met at Duck Donuts in Chesapeake before heading to a cancer charity ride. Her arms pulled me into a hug that told me I belonged. “We need to talk about the power women riders have,” she said. She wasn’t just talking about bikes—she was talking about the fire inside. She’s gone now, but her patch rides with me. She’s in every gust of wind, every curve in the road. I still talk to her. I still hear her voice.

And then there’s Shekelia—fierce, groundbreaking, a force of nature. The first Black woman to open an independent motorcycle school (Moto Mob Riding Academy) not affiliated with Harley-Davidson. They call her "The Mileage Buddy," because she’s covered the entire U.S. on two wheels, riding a Hayabusa and a small Harley with unstoppable grace. She didn’t stop there. She opened a second school in Memphis, offers scholarships for women, and continues to rise above every barrier set before her. She taught me the kind of strength that doesn’t speak—it roars.

It was through her school I met Betina, a radiant spirit who rides her own and reflects the empowerment Shekelia has sparked in so many.

Then came Wendy, who created The Bling Lap Creation and just launched her own group—Bougie Riders—bringing beauty and brilliance into every corner of the biker world. Teena, who I met down in Florida, carries a heart of gold and a library of inspirational stories that remind me how deeply rooted this culture really is.

`Michelle, a devoted community supporter who continues to show up and stand strong for those around her. Chrystal, a compassionate business owner in Hampton Roads, is one of those women who just shows up—to events, to causes, to people. And And then there are the women who’ve stood with me since the foundation of Bikers Across The Nation—Paula, Tabatha, and Gina. Paula and Tabatha joined me in 2021, believing in the vision before it even had wheels. Gina came into my life during a moment of challenge—helping a social club navigate a patch issue. I reached out to the CoC and got schooled in protocol. I said, “Yes sir,” and asked for help. Gina stood beside me through all of it, proving herself as one of the strongest women I’ve ever known.

The list goes on—Cat from Renegade Babes, Laurie from BikerDown who never hesitates to step in for riders in need, MyTurnMoto whose TikTok presence sparks a wave of courage, Qwn B who rides with a purpose and educates others on sex trafficking, and Angie from Support Bikers, building directories and networks that hold this world together. Each woman brings something unique, something fierce, something entirely her own.

And then there’s Cami, the heart behind Biker Bum, a local store that’s become a staple in the Hampton Roads biker community. She carries everything from patches to women’s items and rings for men and women alike. But more than what she sells, it's the love and respect she’s built that defines her. She built it with the love and support of her husband, who rode with pride and stood proudly beside her, believing deeply in her vision until the day he passed, and her strength through that loss only adds to the deep well of inspiration she brings to those around her. Walking beside her has been emotional, humbling, and empowering. Cami takes respect seriously—earning it with grace, holding it with care, and giving it freely to those who walk with integrity. She is a cornerstone of the community and someone I continue to learn from.

I’ve built relationships with groups like Stilettos on Steel, Women In The Wind. Now, Rita’s Motor Maids I want to connect with them soon, and Leather & Lace. I once met a woman in Idaho who planned one of the largest biker events in the state before she ever threw a leg over a bike. We’ve since lost touch, but she still inspires me. Now she rides—and thrives. That’s the magic of this sisterhood. That’s the magic of this sisterhood.

So many women who started out with me that have been working towards riding their own, or being an Ol Lady, or just being a contributed factor in the biker world...the list can go on. Just because I have not listed you does not mean you were not important on this journey, does not mean you did not inspire me to build this, and so many others. I can go on and on and on.

To those who say women don’t belong in the biker world—history disagrees. And it’s been disagreeing for over a century.

• Della Crewe (1915) rode across the U.S. with her dog to show women could travel alone.

• Bessie Stringfield traversed America solo during the Jim Crow era and slept on her bike when no motel would take her.

• Dot Robinson, co-founder of Motor Maids, competed in endurance races when women weren’t welcome.

• Theresa Wallach crossed the Sahara in the 1930s and later taught motorcycle safety to women.

• Vivian Bales rode over 5,000 miles in 1929 to prove women were just as capable, just as bold.

They didn’t just ride. They made history.

And while many women have fought to ride their own, we must also recognize the women who’ve ridden as passengers—not because they had to, but because they chose to. The term Ol’ Lady isn’t a slight—it’s a badge of honor. These women have stood by their Ol’ Men through thick and thin, supported their clubs, kept households together, and built legacies that often go unseen. They’ve held down fortresses, organized events, mentored younger women, and offered emotional and spiritual strength when it was most needed.

Some of the strongest women I’ve met are Ol’ Ladies who may not twist the throttle, but they carry a different kind of power—one that binds communities and brings a sense of balance. They ride with loyalty, grace, and the quiet confidence of women who know exactly who they are. Their contributions are not only valid—they’re essential.

History backs them, too. In every era of the biker world, there have been women behind the scenes, holding the line, ensuring the survival of the culture from a different saddle. They deserve the same recognition and respect as those on their own set of wheels.

And yet, for every woman who has blazed a trail, there’s been a crowd ready to burn her for it.

The Salem Witch Trials taught us how fear destroys difference. Over 200 people—mostly women—were accused of witchcraft, many hanged or imprisoned. These women were often healers, landowners, or simply outspoken—punished for existing outside the bounds of what society deemed 'acceptable.' It was herd mentality at its most dangerous: punishment for daring to be different.

This kind of societal gatekeeping didn’t end in the 1600s. It followed women into the motorcycle world.

Dot Robinson, despite co-founding the Motor Maids and racing with men in endurance events, was often dismissed and degraded because she didn’t fit the mold. She was labeled as trying to “prove something” rather than being honored for her sheer talent. She had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously—and she still did it with poise and determination.

Bessie Stringfield, riding across the U.S. alone during the Jim Crow era, faced not only racism but severe gender discrimination. Motels wouldn’t house her. Police pulled her over just to question whether a Black woman could truly ride a motorcycle. Some questioned whether she was fabricating her accomplishments. She proved them wrong at every mile.

Even now, women face subtle and overt discrimination:

• They are sexualized in media rather than celebrated for their skill.

• They’re talked down to at dealerships, told to choose “smaller” bikes.

• They’re often excluded from club leadership or treated as second-tier members.

• Online, they’re mocked or questioned just for sharing their rides.

  
  

In general again that we can relate with the stigma of being a "female"

The Dixie Chicks taught us how fast the public turns when women speak truth. Hedy Lamarr, a genius inventor behind early Wi-Fi, was dismissed because she was “too pretty to be smart.”

That’s what herd mentality does. It silences, it shames. But you women who ride? You don’t need to be herded. You are the wild ones. The free ones. The ones who make the wind your anthem.

That’s what herd mentality does. It silences, it shames. But you women who ride? You don’t need to be herded. You are the wild ones. The free ones. The ones who make the wind your anthem.

I started Bikers Across The Nation on Facebook in 2021, with a vision and a heart full of hope. It was built on listening—really listening—to what bikers needed, especially women. From that, we built a support system, a movement, and a community where every woman could find her space.

I don’t ride—yet.But one day I will. (I have been honest about this from the start)

Right now, my energy and resources are fully committed to building Bikers Across The Nation—a mission rooted in unity, service, and humanity. As a single mom, I’m honest about where I am. Financially, riding isn’t possible for me right now. That doesn’t make me less of a human, or something that cannot be trusted(my actions will show that if I am to be trusted, or not. I have nothing to hide from), and it’s not an excuse. It’s just the truth.

This journey was never just about me. In a world so focused on image and individualism, we sometimes forget that stepping aside from the spotlight—sacrificing the personal for the greater good—is a valid and courageous path. And that’s OK. I am not saying this with ego. I am saying this with extreme humility.

I’m working on my health. I’m working on the things I can do especially making sure my family is taken care of first. And one day, I hope to be that inspiring woman on two or three wheels, living proof that you should never quiet your dreams—even if your path to them looks a little different, or you take different journeys to get to your selfish dream of riding yourself.

Keep building. Keep dreaming. Keep going.

You All Ride Because You Can — For Freedom, Healing, and the Barriers Life Tries to Place in Your Path

You ride because you can. Because it’s in your soul. Because somewhere in the chaos of life, the wind gives you peace. You ride because you’re healing. Because you’re honoring someone you loved. Because you’re breaking barriers within yourself and within a world that still tries to box you in.

You don’t need permission. You don’t need validation. You only need your bike, your truth, and the courage to hold your own space on the road.

There is no right way to be a woman. There is only your way.

To every woman I’ve met—and to every woman I’ve yet to meet—thank you. You are why I do this. You are the pulse of this culture. You are the future of the open road.

Ride on, sisters. Always.

Here are some of the organizations/businesses that helped me out this week. Please follow them, and support. Link click on the image.

Please look up the businesses and organizations I mentioned in the blog. They all deserve recognition.

MotorcycleDreams helped me figure out a raffle item for Bikers Across The Nation (information on a used part)

BikerBum helps find events for Hampton Roads every single week. We provide free advertising for the work she volunteers for with sharing events for Hampton Roads. We could not do this without Cami. Please support her business.