Mary McGee is a pioneer in American motorcycle racing, thanks to her untamable determination and a spirit as warm as her smile. Her excitement for motorcycling, especially racing, is contagious even in her eighties. She was the first woman to receive an FIM racing license in the United States, first woman to complete the Baja 1000, and the first woman to race the Baja 500 solo. These aren’t her only firsts, either. She was also the first woman in motocross and road racing in the States. McGee was rightly inducted into the AMA Hall of Fame in 2018.
Motorcycle Mama: 1937
September 15, 1937. “First of fair sex to obtain motorcycle license in Capital. Although she weighs only 88 pounds — one-third of the machine she rides, Mrs. Sally Halterman is the first woman to be granted a license to operate a motorcycle in the District of Columbia. She is 27 years old and 4 feet, 11 inches tall. Immediately after receiving her permit, Mrs. Halterman was initiated into the D.C. Motorcycle Club — the only girl ever to be accorded this honor.”
Submission from Ewan (thank you!)
She was 1/3rd the weight of her motorcycle- I’m 1/4th the weight of mine! Dang.
Posted on April 5, 2011 in Motorcycles by Alicia Mariah Elfving