Iconic Lesbian Motorcyclist Dead at 64.

Woody Woodward died June13th 2009 of ovarian cancer on the morning of her beloved Boston LGBT Pride Parade. It was the first Boston Pride Parade that anyone can remember her missing. Images of Woody in various Pride Parades with her rainbow mohawk and striking outfits have been so widely published that she has become synonymous with the event. In fact, the Wickipedia definition of 'Dyke' is illustrated with a photo of Woody riding down NYC's 5th Avenue in all her glory.

Donna Marie 'Woody' Woodward was born on December 1st 1944 in Fall River, Massachusetts. In her 64 years she owned more than twenty motorcycles and racked up over 300,000 miles on them traveling throughout the U.S., as well as six out of seven continents of the world- some of them twice. To fund her adventurer's life she worked variously as a limo driver, an archeologist, a roofer, a chimney sweep, a mason, a carpenter, a manual Royal typewriter assembler, and myriad other fascinating occupations. Woody also taught English at the Chendu Institute in China, and by her example taught countless young dykes all over the world to live out loud and proud.

Woody was a founding member of the Moving Violations Women's Motorcycle Club in Boston, as well as a member of the Sirens Women's Motorcycle Club NYC, and the Motor Maids- the first women's motorcycle club in the U.S. She was a much beloved and eagerly anticipated participant in the NYC Pride Parade. The NYC crowd always went wild for her, and she enjoyed posing for photos with her legions of fans nearly as much as they did.

From their inception Woody was a tireless advocate and fundraiser for the Pony Express Tours which raised money for breast cancer research. She raised funds and awareness for countless women's and lgbt organizations promoting the arts and fighting cancer, HIV/AIDS, and violence against women.

Woody leaves behind a world of grieving motorcyclists who all know they will never meet another like her.

Tribute by Cheryl Stewart