Motor Maids at Singing Pines, Nashville, Indiana 1947. Via Frank M. Hohenberger Photograph Collection. Courtesy, The Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.
Established in 1940, Motor Maids was one of the first women's motorcycle groups and has been called the oldest existing women's club in the United States. The first president of Motor Maids was Dot Robinson, who held the position for 25 years.
Purpose: Women's Motorcycle Club
Founded: 1940
Dot was born on April 22, 1912 in Australia, moving to America in 1918 when her father wanted to expand the Goulding Sidecar business. Dot and Earl Robinsons were married in 1931. Dot empowered women when efforts to prevent her from competing in endurance runs failed. She competed throughout the 1930s, ‘40s, and ‘50s.
In founding the Motor Maids, Dot set out to unite women riders, to show that you could ride a motorcycle and still be a lady. There was never a time you saw Dot without makeup. Away from her motorcycle, she looked ready to step in or out of a fashion magazine.
With approximately 1,300 members across the United States and Canada, the Motor Maids are a diverse group of women motorcyclists united through a passion for riding while fostering a positive image and promoting safe riding skills.
The founding premise of the Motor Maids was to unite women motorcyclists in promoting motorcycle interest.
--from Sam Burns
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