“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel…the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”
~Susan B. Anthony, 1896
The Grand Rapids Women’s Bicycle Club in 1902 (Coll 59, number 759). From left to right: Mrs. John Taylor, Mrs. Charles Richmond, Mrs. Frank Lee, Miss Clara Richmond, Laura Leavenworth (Mrs. William Widdicomb, Jr.), Daisy Thompson (Mrs. James Bailey), Mrs. A.B. Richmond, Iva Richmond (Mrs. Wm. R. McKinlock), Zoe Richmond (Mrs. Claude M. Hurd), Nora Judd Powers (Mrs. Chars F.), Jessica Leonard Whittier (Mrs. Walter). Lastly, the dog’s name is Carlo and he belonged to Mrs. Richmond.
In the Roman Catholic tradition, All Soul’s Day, also known as The Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed, is a day for remembering and celebrating those who came before us, and left their indelible marks on our world. Celebrated on November 2, immediately following All Saint’s Day (November 1), which follows All Hallow’s Eve, or Halloween (October 31), All Soul’s Day has quite a sacred and rich history, which I encourage you to read about here.
This year, in addition to honoring dearly departed family members and friends with candles, poetry and prayers shared with the trees, I am sending a shout out to some sisterly souls, pedaling predecessors who were cycling around western Michigan way before there were rails trails, bike paths, sharrows and “Share the Road” signs. I am deeply grateful to them, and all of the other women around the world, who took to the wheel, and left their indelible skid marks on our roads! I shall ride in celebration of them, and share prayers with Lake Michigan, as I remember their sojourns along these shores.
Thank you, Sisters! Pedal on, friends!