Moving Violations Motorcycle Club embroidered denim jacket, ca. 1985

Photo by Kevin Grady/Radcliffe Institute

This denim jacket emblazoned with the club’s “colors,” or insignia, is part of the records of the Moving Violations Motorcycle Club, a collection that continues to grow. Founded in 1985—when women on their own bikes were few and far between—by a group of women who enjoyed riding together, Moving Violations is one of the oldest women’s motorcycle clubs in New England. Those first members found friendship and strength together, and that experience still guides the club’s mission: to enjoy safe, noncompetitive riding with other women motorcyclists. Moving Violations members lead the Boston Pride March every year, sponsor maintenance and safety clinics and social activities, and are active in feminist and women’s health fund-raisers. 

The first women’s motorcycle group, Motor Maids, was founded in 1940 by women inspired by the Ninety Nines, the female pilots’ club established in 1929 with Amelia Earhart, also featured in this exhibition, as its first president. 

Records of the Moving Violations Motorcycle Club

Catalog record:

http://id.lib.harvard.edu/alma/990087944250203941/catalog

Learn more:

See the Schlesinger Library research guide on LGBTQ-related topics.