Kittie Knox

Kittie Knox
Kittie Knox and bicycle
BornOctober 7, 1874
Cambridge, Massachusetts
DiedOctober 11, 1900(1900-10-11) (aged 26)
Boston, Massachusetts
Occupationseamstress
Known forcyclist

Katherine Towle Knox (October 7, 1874 – October 11, 1900) was a bicycle racer and the first African American to be accepted into the League of American Wheelmen (LAW).[1]

Knox joined LAW in 1893 at a time when few women were members.[1][2] The organization changed their constitution to only allow white members in 1894. In 1895 the organization clarified that constitutional changes are not retroactive and Knox's membership in the group was no longer questioned.[3] Knox persisted in racing despite sometimes being denied access to races as well as service by restaurants and hotels while traveling.[1] She was a strong rider, participating in and completing several century rides.[4] Knox was known both for her cycling ability, taking first place in a LAW meeting Waltham, Massachusetts, as well as her fashionable cycling outfits.[5] During this time, women were expected to wear long skirts when engaging in physical activity. However, Kittie Knox defied gender norms by wearing baggy trousers when cycling. [6] Unlike her male counterparts, much attention was given to her appearance and wardrobe.[1] The media often paid more attention to her looks than to her abilities as a cyclist. [1]

  1. ^ a b c d e Miller, Grace (May 26, 2020). "Breaking the Cycle: the Kittie Knox story – Smithsonian Libraries / Unbound". Smithsonian Libraries / Unbound. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  2. ^ "Kittie Knox, Boston's Cycling Craze, 1880–1900: A Story of Race, Sport, and Society book cover". CONTENTdm. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  3. ^ "Queries and Answers". Good Roads. 22: 34. July 1895. Retrieved June 13, 2020.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference MAC was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ "The Asbury Park Meet". The Bearings. 11 (24): 2. July 11, 1825.
  6. ^ "Women in Transportation History – Kittie Knox, African-American Cyclist". Transportation History. March 13, 2017. Retrieved April 16, 2024.