Here’s my first series of mixed media drawings of female motorcycle stunt riders. When I went looking for reference photos of old-school daredevils, I didn’t expect to find so many women in the game. I’d like to know the ratio of these maniacs to other other women working dangerous jobs (cops, soldiers, firefighters, etc.). Maybe working in entertainment was a loophole?
Marjorie Dare
Marjorie Dare (Doris Smith) was known for riding the “Wall of Death” with predatory cats in the sidecar or handlebars, inevitably getting bit a few times.
Cookie Crum-”Queen of the Hell Drivers”
Born Margery Coffman
Started out as a trick rider for Ringling Brothers/Barnum and Bailey Circus
Jay Lightnin', (a veteran daredevil and proprietor of one of the three Walls of Death still touring the U.S ) on Cookie, "It was basically kind of unheard of…a woman on the motorcycle on the street was unheard of, never mind in a carnival on the Wall. Back in her day she was looked down on by the rest of society, she was an outlaw and no good, and she wasn't only biker trash, she was carnival biker trash, to make matters worse."
Oh Sam. You libertarian scalawag you.
Unknown Motor Scooters
Can anyone ID either of them? Image searches don’t turn up any details.
Take a look at my Pinterest board for more photos of lady daredevils. This stuff is GOLD.
Prints and other wall art available at my Redbubble shop.
