Today is March 8 and International Women's Day and we gladly support the global efforts to achieve 'gender parity'. Coincidentally we recently found a first edition of ' Veil, Duster and Tire Iron' signed by the author Alice Huyler Ramsey - the first lady to drive an automobile across America.
We shared her story with you before, but have since learned that her husband had bought her a 1909 Maxwell 30 HP DA hoping it would be 'safer than a hard-to-tame horse.' Alice, aged 21, and three girl friends set off using the 'Blue Books' for navigation. She writes, “The dependable Blue Book with its accurate mileages from one town to another and detailed instructions where to turn or which fork in the road to chose, was nearly as necessary as gasoline in the fuel tank…The first volume was New York State, followed by New England; one by one other sections were added. By 1909 they extended only to the Missouri River, leaving a vast void in the great wide West.”
Of course, there have since been countless members of the fairer sex who have undertaken gruelling road trips, including Joy Rainey who drove her 1904 Curved Dash Oldsmobile across America in 2013 and wrote a book about it.
If ever you needed an example of 'gender parity', just remember the fun had by the VSCC ladies who take a holiday from their menfolk and escape for a week of vintage motoring with other Chummy Ladies. Much hilarity and not a satnav to be seen.
We cannot celebrate a ( motoring) International Women's Day without raising a glass to Thelma and Louise. What? You haven't seen the film? It shows how our female motoring friends know just how to enjoy themselves whether in a PreWarCar or a PostWarClassic.
When you read the PostWarClassic story today, you will remember that chivalry is not dead, and a gentleman's natural instinct is to stop and help a lady change a wheel if stranded at the side of the road. But remember Alice refused any male help when changing tyres eleven times on her epic trip, so what's the protocol today? Do we stop and help or do we drive past with a cheery wave? As we wish you a happy International Women's Day, please let us know what you think.
Text Robin Batchelor, pictures from archive.