S03 E44 The Van Buren Sisters Are Probably Tougher Than You

Got a story about 2 sisters who aren’t that well known, but probably ought to be.

Let’s take a moment to set the stage...

It was not until the mid to later part of the 20th century that most folks were able to travel from coast to coast in the US without a lot of preparation, plenty of fortitude, and a hefty bankroll.
In 1916 the United States was on the verge of entering WW1 and the Van Buren Sisters - Augusta (24), and Adeline (22), were known affectionately as Gussie and Addie. This pair was quite non-traditional for their time. The impressive and talented women were active in the suffrage movement, and they wanted to help in the war that everyone was coming.

They were ‘Outdoorsy ‘and adventurous they knew how to fly, box, race horses, and - - they loved to ride motorcycles. The sisters knew they’d never be allowed on the front during wartime. But, they could be very useful if they would be allowed to serve as motorcycle dispatch riders, carrying messages for the commanders – the soldiers used for this duty could be freed up to fight.

But they knew they’d have to prove it would work – that girls could ride as good as boys - because with the way things were in 1916 it was never going to happen. At least not without a big push. Women just didn’t do things like that back then.