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In the late 30’s, a young woman motorcycle enthusiast named Linda Dugeau of Providence, Rhode Island, conceived the idea that there might be a number of women who owned their own motorcycles and might be interested in becoming acquainted. Linda wrote to dealers, riders and anyone she thought might know of women motorcycle riders. After this extensive search, she compiled a list from which the Motor Maid organization was founded with 51 charter members in 1940. The American Motorcycle Association Charter #509 was issued to the club in 1941. |
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Dot Robinson of Detroit, Michigan, was appointed the first President. She held this position for the next 25 years until she resigned during convention in 1965. Lou Rigsby of Chattanooga, Tennessee, was the first Vice President; Linda Dugeau was the first Secretary; Helen Kiss of Pottstown, Pennsylvania, was the first Treasurer; and Assistant to the Secretary was Hazel Duckworth of Valley Falls, Rhode Island. Additional offices have been added: Advisory Editor, Supply Officer, Publicity Director, Historian, Safety Liaison, Web Editor, Recording Secretary and Membership Secretary.
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Uniting Women Motorcyclists
The founding premise of Motor Maids was to unite women motorcyclists in promoting motorcycle interest. The initial Constitutional Article establishing the requirements for membership has remained the Motor Maid hallmark since the first meeting - membership shall consist of women who legally own and operate their own motorcycle or one belonging to a family member.
Informal meetings and get-togethers were held at various national and district events in many parts of the United States. At the 1946 convention, the need for someone to link the membership to the Executive Officers was noted. The State Director system was established. In the early 90’s, State Director was changed to District Director as the membership became divided into Districts by State/Province or groups of States/Provinces. The first Canadian district, was established in 1949.
Motor Maids Convention
The first formal convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, May 27 & 28, 1944, with Jane Farrow and Jo Folden co-hosting. Over Labor Day weekend that year, the first Regional Meeting was held at Plainfield, New Jersey. From this meeting came the club colors, Royal Blue and Silver Gray, and the Motor Maid emblem in the form of a shield. The uniform had its beginnings at this meeting. Initially the uniforms were tailor-made of silver-gray gabardine with royal blue piping. It evolved into a uniform consisting of gray slacks, royal blue over-blouse with white boots and tie. It later became black slacks, royal blue long sleeved shirt, white vest, white gloves and black boots. In 1941, Howard Foley of Columbus, Ohio , approached the Motor Maids with the idea of parading at the Charity Newsies Race. White gloves soon became a part of the uniform. When they paraded at the Newsies Race, the Motor Maids became known as the “Ladies of the White Gloves”. The Motor Maids paraded annually at Charity Newsies through the final year in 1979. Over the years, the Motor Maids have been asked to parade at numerous races across the country and in Canada .
The Motor Maids hold a Convention each July in a different part of North America. When a member has attended two conventions and has ten consecutive active years of membership, she may apply for Life Membership. Silver Life Membership requires twenty-five years of active membership and attendance at five conventions. Golden Life Membership is awarded after attendance at ten conventions during fifty years of active membership.
Presidents of Motor Maids, Inc: Dot Robinson of Detroit, Michigan; Dorine Hamilton of Wichita, Kansas; Mary Cutright of Chillicothe, Ohio; Kathleen Anderson of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; Jeanne Deak of Chardon, Ohio; Jan Barrett of Englewood, Florida; Brenda Hickling-Thatcher of Toledo, Ohio; Susan Gibson of Goshen, Ohio; Sandra Hinksman of Milton, Ontario.
The founding premise of Motor Maids was to unite women motorcyclists in promoting motorcycle interest. The initial Constitutional Article establishing the requirements for membership has remained the Motor Maid hallmark since the first meeting - membership shall consist of women who legally own and operate their own motorcycle or one belonging to a family member.
Informal meetings and get-togethers were held at various national and district events in many parts of the United States. At the 1946 convention, the need for someone to link the membership to the Executive Officers was noted. The State Director system was established. In the early 90’s, State Director was changed to District Director as the membership became divided into Districts by State/Province or groups of States/Provinces. The first Canadian district, was established in 1949.
Motor Maids Convention
The first formal convention was held in Columbus, Ohio, May 27 & 28, 1944, with Jane Farrow and Jo Folden co-hosting. Over Labor Day weekend that year, the first Regional Meeting was held at Plainfield, New Jersey. From this meeting came the club colors, Royal Blue and Silver Gray, and the Motor Maid emblem in the form of a shield. The uniform had its beginnings at this meeting. Initially the uniforms were tailor-made of silver-gray gabardine with royal blue piping. It evolved into a uniform consisting of gray slacks, royal blue over-blouse with white boots and tie. It later became black slacks, royal blue long sleeved shirt, white vest, white gloves and black boots. In 1941, Howard Foley of Columbus, Ohio , approached the Motor Maids with the idea of parading at the Charity Newsies Race. White gloves soon became a part of the uniform. When they paraded at the Newsies Race, the Motor Maids became known as the “Ladies of the White Gloves”. The Motor Maids paraded annually at Charity Newsies through the final year in 1979. Over the years, the Motor Maids have been asked to parade at numerous races across the country and in Canada .
The Motor Maids hold a Convention each July in a different part of North America. When a member has attended two conventions and has ten consecutive active years of membership, she may apply for Life Membership. Silver Life Membership requires twenty-five years of active membership and attendance at five conventions. Golden Life Membership is awarded after attendance at ten conventions during fifty years of active membership.
Presidents of Motor Maids, Inc: Dot Robinson of Detroit, Michigan; Dorine Hamilton of Wichita, Kansas; Mary Cutright of Chillicothe, Ohio; Kathleen Anderson of Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota; Jeanne Deak of Chardon, Ohio; Jan Barrett of Englewood, Florida; Brenda Hickling-Thatcher of Toledo, Ohio; Susan Gibson of Goshen, Ohio; Sandra Hinksman of Milton, Ontario.