5 January 2024

Published January 3, 2024 by rochellewisoff

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The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit. 

PHOTO PROMPT © Dale Rogerson

CLICK TO JUMP ON

Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100

ROUGH RIDERS

“Oh Gussie,” said Mother with a moan. “I fear you’re a terrible influence on your little sister. And you’ve ruined your frocks. Just look at you two covered in mud.”

Ten-year-old Agusta laughed. “Addie’s a better wrestler than me.”

“I’m this many.” Adeline held up five fingers.

Twenty-two years later, backs aching, Gussie and Addie wrestled their Indian motorcycles through miles of mud.

September 2nd, 1916, the Van Buren sisters completed their treacherous journey from New York to San Francisco.  

Addie chuckled. “What would Mother say now?”

Agusta grinned. “She just might say something like, ‘woman can, if she will.’”

To learn more about these remarkable women CLICK HERE.

67 comments on “5 January 2024”

  • Great story. I found the article interesting. Funny that they were described as “slender “society girls””, but most likely poorer people would not have the opportunity to take up the challenges they did. Of course being arrest for dressing like men is just, wow, even in the 20th century…

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Love this story. These sisters were dauntless. Gender aside, it shows if you want to and plan it, you can do it. They tore down barriers for women and opened the world for many more. Thanks for the link. It was very interesting. Having ridden coast to coast on my Harley, I get a sense of what they accomplished. And, my Mom was also a lady pilot so, airplanes & motorcycles are in my DNA. lol. Great story.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Dear Rochelle,

    Kudos to you for telling their story in such an engaging way. You tell us so much about them in so few words. I cannot believe (though I really should) they did not manage to convince the military. Considering how many ways women did help the war efforts in other ways, you would think this would have been considered! History told as only you can.

    Shalom and lotsa muddy love,

    Dale

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Incredible story – yours and theirs. It’s hard to believe that so recently society had such closed views. Imagine being arrested for wearing motorcycle leathers while riding a motorcycle. To misquote Eddie Izzard “They’re not men’s clothes; they’re my clothes”.
    Jen

    Liked by 1 person

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  • What a incredible story, and what amazing women they must have been. I was stunned that they were arrested for wearing ‘men’s clothes’! Thank you for once again shining a spotlight on some admirable individuals who don’t receive the attention they should.

    Liked by 1 person

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  • Hello, I discovered this prompt via Angela’s blog and I accidentally based my poem on the wrong photo – but in spite of my mistake I enjoyed the write and really appreciate your 100-word story prompt – thank you so much for the inspo!! xoxo

    Liked by 2 people

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  • I know this is supposed to be a tale of women defying gender expectations, but all I can think of is that poor mother and the laundry she had to do. I also boldly defy gender expectations by doing the majority of the housework.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Nobbin,

      Take heart, the wrestling match was the fictitious part of this story. Although I’ve no doubt these two probably did things like that. And kudos to you for housework. Thanks to the Navy, my husband does his own laundry. He’s also much better about housecleaning than I. 😉 Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

      Liked by 1 person

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  • An inspirational story Rochelle. As one who came late to pillion riding, and for whom age brought a natural conclusion (I had great difficulty getting my knees back together after a long trek), I am in awe. Well done.

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Dear Sandra,

      I used to be much more enthusiastic about pillion riding but have many reasons for no longer doing it. Never would I ever try to operate a motorcycle. I admire the women who do. Thank you.

      Shalom,

      Rochelle

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      Reply ↓

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