Female bikers posed for a photo before starting their motorcycle journey.
“Representing the growing interest in motorcycling, from left: Vera Griffin, Elinor (Sis) Sills, Ada Steward (?) riding buddy with Betty Jeremy, Eva Scheirer, Louise Scherbyn, Helen Blansitt, Peppy Day, and two unknown women.”
— Iron Horse Cowgirls (p.258)
Iron Horse Cowgirls, the book, is available now!
Iron Horse Cowgirls
Louise Scherbyn and the Women Motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s
by Linda Back McKay and Kate St. Vincent Vogl
“Before Louise Scherbyn founded the Women's International Motorcycle Association, she was simply a working girl who loved motorcycling – at a time when women weren't allowed to wear pants, roads weren't hard-topped, and handlebars could come apart while riding.
Seeking a proper space for women riders, Louid found the auxiliaries she turned to for support to be the wrong fit. She would ultimately have to forge a new path.
This book tells the fascinating story of Scherbyn's journey in forming the first stand-alone women-only motorcycle association. Chapters cover 225,000 miles and two decades' worth of community-building, hostilities, physical and professional attacks, recovery, sisterhood and more.
Scherbyn paved the way for women motorcyclists across the world while facing a storm of threats and uncertainties, driving ahead with newfound friends and her singular, unifying vision for women who ride.”
– Iron Horse Cowgirls (back-cover)
Accessible wherever books are sold.
“Brilliant…This is one book I look forward to reading again.”
— Cristine Sommer Simmons, three time motorcycle hall of fame inductee, author of The American Motorcycle Girls 1900-1950
"Louise calling it a wrap on this cowboy business, March 26, 1935" – Iron Horse Cowgirls p.50
"Fitting that WIMA's historical account of it's found features this photograph of Louise, taken while touring with a friend on their way across an international border. Here, at the gateway to the St. Lawrence River, Gouverneur, September 1942." – Iron Horse Cowgirls p. 214
"This picture of Mabel Lighthouse (left) and Louise Scherbyn, taken the day the Wayne County clubhouse was erected, now graces its walls, next to pictures of other founders." – Iron Horse Cowgirls p.93
“An engrossing tale…a poignant and multi-dimensional narrative; a carefully written, richly detailed account of one woman’s vision to create a more equitable and inclusive future for all women motorcyclists.”
— Sheila Malone, PhD, editor, International Journal of Motorcycle Studies
“Kate St. Vincent Vogl roars across the page bringing news of the first women stunt riders with excitement and panache. This trailblazing, down-home history is a tour de force. Don’t miss the show.”
— Elizabeth Cobbs, author of Fearless Women: Feminist Patriots from Abigail Adams to Beyoncé
“In taking up the mantle of co-author Linda Back McKay’s final research project, poring through the treasure trove of Scherbyn’s photos and correspondence, and crafting a breezy, conversational narrative, Vogl takes readers along for the ride as Scherbyn and her fellow female ‘citizen riders’ carve space for themselves in the male-dominated world of motorcycling … Imagine Louise Scherbyn’s pleasure at seeing her story captured so beautifully.”
— Kim Heikkila, PhD, author of Booth Girls: Pregnancy, Adoption, and the Secrets We Kept and Sisterhood of War: Minnesota Women in Vietnam
Meet the Authors
Linda Back McKay
Linda, a seasoned poet and writer, dedicated numerous years to the advertising industry before launching her creative copywriting venture. In addition to her role as a poet, she held the position of artist in residence at the Loft Literary Center, shared her insights as a creative writing teacher, and contributed as a nonfiction author. Linda produced multiple volumes of poetry and penned "Shadow Mothers: Stories of Adoption and Reunion," which was later adapted into the successful play "Watermelon Hill," which had two acclaimed runs at the Minnesota History Theater. Notably, a motion poem inspired by her piece "Carousel" adorned the facade of St. Paul's Union Depot.
Linda had returned to the realm of nonfiction with a publication focusing on women motorcyclists from the 1930s and 40s. Unfortunately, she passed away before completing this remarkable book.
However, with the assistance of her friend and author Katie St. Vincent Vogl, the book "Iron Horse Cowgirls" has now been completed and published.
Katie St. Vincent Vogl
Kate St. Vincent Vogl is the author of “Lost & Found: A Memoir of Mothers,” which was featured on national ABC News. She co-authors “Lady Ref, the story of the NFL's first female official.” Vogl also co-wrote “Iron Horse Cowgirls: Louise Scherbyn and the Women Motorcyclists of the 1930s and 1940s.” Her work appears in Prairie Schooner, and her fiction has received support from the Minnesota State Arts Board and the Anderson Center. She teaches at The Loft Literary Center. See www.katevogl.com for more.