Annie Londonderry Pioneering Women’s Trousers

One although it is assumed that it is for the sake of claim Annie Londonderry, who traveled the world only on the bike she took with her, left behind a wonderful memory that has been remembered throughout history. The fact that he made the world tour despite his three children is enough to show us how sincerely he wanted this.

One morning, a woman wearing a long, heavy skirt that reflects her period appeared, hearing the applause of the crowd in front of the Boston Capitol with her bicycle. Her name is Annie Londonderry, but the public knows her as “the woman who floats like a kite”.

Annie’s last name was actually Kopchovsky.

calendar leaf On June 25, 1894, Annie, just 24 years old,introduces his surname as Londonderry, which is Kopchovsky, after announcing that he will travel the world. Coming from a poor Jewish family, Annie had a masculine domination over her, with the notion that there were many things women couldn’t achieve. Especially if that woman has 3 kids like Annie!

Single and childless, Annie Londonderry was a fictional character she created.

While it is difficult to make society accept that women have goals just like men, even today; And imagine that this happened in the 1800s, when societies were just starting to form. That’s why, actually Annie, who is married and has children, He has created a single and childless character for himself.

Women are starting to come to the fore in society now.

In these periods, it was not possible for women to be in the spotlight, but at the end of the 1800s, this perception began to break down a little. Educated and wealthy women who can travel alone are beginning to exist. But Annie had none of these traits. His wife, Max, was a hawker, and he had never been educated.

Born in Latvia in 1870, he and his family immigrated to Boston at a young age.. When their parents died in 1887, they were left alone with their siblings. At the age of 18, she married her husband Max and gave birth to her first child. When asked about his trip, he said:I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life with a baby in my arms and an apron on” he would say. He wanted so much more from life.

The bicycle has become a symbol of freedom.

In this period, when women started to demand the right to vote and be elected, equal rights in higher education and marriage, The bicycle also began to come to the fore as a symbol of freedom. Annie saw cycling as a way to earn her freedom, fame and money. The idea of ​​starting the journey is a bit dubious.

on a bet It is said that Annie, who is said to have gone on a journey, actually evaluates this situation as an opportunity. Let’s take the matter of the bet briefly, though: It is said that in 1894, two rich men from Boston said that no woman could travel the world by bicycle. He is betting $20,000 against $10,000. Annie hears this bet too and claims she can do it herself. To win the bet, he had to travel the world in 15 months and win at least $5,000 during the trip. In a few weeks, she was ready to go on a world tour on her 42-pound bike.

The 1800s were a great time for cycling.

When bicycles became safer and became widespread in the USA, it was great at that time. a bike frenzy formed. Meanwhile, this small invention gave women the power to go beyond the neighborhoods, and it was a kind of tool for them to gradually gain their independence. Annie, who became the idol of women in her period, also became the symbol of women.

He set off for a world tour on 27 June.

Annie, after two days of excited waiting for the photos He set off on June 27. To begin with, he diverted his course west, deciding to take some cycling lessons. used by 42 kilo bike, It didn’t seem appropriate for a woman to travel.

By this time, he had come to Chicago and had traveled more than 1,500 km. Chicago Sterling Bikes 26 pounds He offered to arrange a bike and an advertising contract in return. The company that produces wheels for this company came across Annie with another contract. Two advertising posters were already floating on his bike.

A quick transition from long skirt to short pants.

Annie, who we say also directs the subject of fashion, had a light dress made for her at the beginning. In this way while fastening the skirt at the waist He could use his bike comfortably. She got rid of the corset, which shaped the women’s fashion of the period, because it restricted her movements. It was more free and comfortable now.

When he set out from Chicago on October 14, he wore loose-fitting, baggy trousers with narrow cuffs at the ankle. This outfit was a very comfortable option for a woman riding a bike. However, when asked by a journalist, Annie replied: “Although I have the audacity to attempt circumnavigating the world, I do not have the audacity to wear trousers.”

Those who saw Annie’s clothes could not tell whether it was a man or a woman.

Annie often came across people in small towns staring at her outfit and bike. After arriving in Buffalo, New York, she went even further and started wearing children’s trousers similar to today’s capri style. He also wore black socks, leggings, a tweed vest, a jacket, and a blue sailor’s cap. Those who saw him found it difficult to tell whether it was a man or a woman approaching.

He got a lot of attention on the ship he boarded from New York. He told his adventures like a fairy tale, biking around the deck and raising money. When he went to Paris, Sterling was hosted by the bicycle agency. Cycling was very popular in France at that time; For this reason It received great attention in the French press.

From Egypt to Sydney, from Sri-Lanka to Singapore…

March Just after he reached San Francisco in 1895, he embarked on the final leg of his journey. As he approached the end, there were nearly 50 flags waving behind his bike and clothes. As he moved from city to city, he added souvenirs and promotions from local merchants to his coffers. Annie in an interview with the Omaha World Herald “I believe that in the near future, women of all classes will be sitting on a bicycle with their legs spread apart, except the long-skirted and narrow-minded ones.” he was saying.

Completely After 15 months, he was able to return to Boston, where he began his long journey. While she didn’t pedal as well as expected, her journey as a woman was a huge success. During the presentations he prepared to the people in the places he visited, he weaved a story full of dramas and details, and the audience listened to it wholeheartedly.

Annie and her journey have been on the agenda for a long time; a smart and resourceful entrepreneur, and a fun speaker, he was admired by people, especially to women. great inspiration it happened.