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
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.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
An inspiring story Rochelle
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Thank you, Sadje.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re welcome
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Addies’ wrestling came in handy after all
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Dear Neil,
Glad you caught that. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Aww this story was great! I really loved it!
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Thank you so much, Carol Anne. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So wonderful!
Enterprising intrepid sisters.
Thanks to their mother for encouraging them. Let their muddy frocks be!!!
Have a wonderful 2024, Rochelle!
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Dear Anita,
Thank you for your sweet comment. A happy 2024 to you as well.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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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…
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Dear Trent,
They did have the advantage of wealth and privilege. And they knew how to use it. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Knowing how to use it and doing great things is what counts here.
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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.
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Dear Jan,
Mom might’ve been a pilot but, as I recall, she wasn’t too thrilled about your motorcycle. 😉 The Van Buren sisters were trail blazers. Thanks m’luv.
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Great story, well done to those two fearless women.
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Dear James,
Fearless indeed. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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They certainly were intrepid!
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Theyu were indeed. Thank you for reading and commenting, Whoever You Are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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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
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Dear Dale,
They were just born to far ahead of their time. Thank you for the great comment/compliment.
Shalom and lotsa hugs in historical proportions,
Rochelle
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Does that mean old hugs are smaller? 😉
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😀
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After reading your story, I simply had to follow the link, and I’m so glad I did. Inspirational.
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Dear Keith,
It makes me happy when readers are curious enough to follow the links. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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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
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Dear Jen,
It is hard to imagine them being arrested for what they were wearing compared to what many women wear today. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Their shining faces manifest the rightness of their choices. Thanks for sharing their story, Rochelle!
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Dear Lisa,
Weren’t they just beautiful? Trailblazers for sure. My pleasure to share their story. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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It’s just a bit of mud. I would have loved for this story to be longer. They come across as a force to be reckoned with.
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Dear Tannille.
There’s honestly not a lot out there about them. Although certainly more than a hundred words. 😉 I’m betting they were a force to be reckoned with. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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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.
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Dear Margaret,
Can you imagine being arrested for what they were wearing??? Always my pleasure to share tidbits of history when I come across them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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An amazing story and a great motto.
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Thank you, Gabi. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Another learning moment. Thank you.
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Dear Connie,
Any time I can provide a learning moment. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I would love to have known them!
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Me, too, Linda. :d
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Such pioneering spirits. Well told Rochelle
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Thank you so much, Michael.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Querida Rochelle,
The times they are a changing!!! Men’s clothes now-a-days is normal.
How different the times are. Great woman with a great story you’ve shared
so perfectly in just 100 teeny words. Bravo, mi amiga.
Abrazos y Carino,
Izzy
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Querida Izzy,
Personally, I think men’s clothing on women might be preferable to what they are wearing. 😉 Gracias mi amiga.
Shalom y abrazos,
Rochelle
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Remarkable girls! Always a school day in the FF classroom! Lovely stuff.
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What a lovely thing to say, Shrawley. Could you stay after class and clean the chalkboards? 😉 Seriously, thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Two absolutely remarkable stories, Rochelle …. yours and theirs!
What an exciting time for these intrepid young women
with incredible energy and lust for life.
Very well done, ladies!
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Thank you for a sweet comment, Nancy. Historical fiction is definitely my favorite genre. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A great pleasure, Rochelle.
See you next week! ✌🏼 👋🏼
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it would seem intimidating even for men especially back in their day. kudos to them for being able to do it.
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Dear Plaridel,
Kudos indeed. They were determined. I have to admire them. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Wow what a pair – very inspiring Rochelle, thanks for sharing 🙌
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Thank you, Angela. Feedback is always appreciated. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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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
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Hi Lia,
Welcome. It was an honest mistake. 😉 I hope you’ll continue to join us and post your link so more people in the group will see. It’s a wonderful international group to interact with. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is true. Thank you so much Rochelle! <33
Here's my poem – "The crafting of the silent un-craftable song " – https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/101461803/posts/5062439264 – thanks again. :)) xo
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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.
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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
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I think Gussie was a wonderful influence on her sister (haha). Incredible what they did together. Love this!
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Dear Brenda,
It seems they were quite the devoted pair. Glad you enjoyed. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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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.
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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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Remarkable, indeed.
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Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Legendary and what a great story! Two more amazing women to read up on. You find the best stories, Rochelle!
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Dear Laurie,
What would I do without the internet and a few friends who direct me to the most interesting links. 😉 Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I love pictures of motorcycles in the past. 🥰
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Dear Heather,
It’s fun to see how the motorcycle has evolved. Thank you for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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