Kittie Knox, born in 1874 in Cambridge to a white mother and black father, was a talented athlete who wanted to show that anyone, irrespective of race, gender, or class could and should enjoy riding a bike. Back when cycling clubs were segregated by gender, race and social class Kittie and her friends courageously pushed back against the system and broke through multiple barriers. Kittie’s inspiring story was briefly lost to history, but in the past decade scholars, cycling enthusiasts, and local politicians around Cambridge and Boston have made efforts to share her impact with the public. These efforts include a 2013 monument erected on her grave at Mount Auburn Cemetery and a bike path named after her in 2019 near Kendall Square.
– Excerpted from Domatch, Morgan. “Katherine, “Kittie” Knox: Cycling towards Change”
On Friday March 31st, former Cambridge mayor and current city councilor, Denise Simmons led a discussion and presentation on Kittie Knox, the social barriers that she encountered and broke through during her lifetime, and the benefits of cycling, with 5th graders from the Fletcher Maynard Academy. After the short presentation, councilor Simmons received as many questions from the assembled 5th graders as she asked and stimulated a discussion about social barriers, courage and collective action that will certainly stay with the FMA scholars. Big thanks to councilor Simmons, FMA teachers Kelly Powell and Michael Ventresca, principal Bobby Tynes, and all that made this event possible.