Tillie
Tillie Anderson came to Chicago from Sweden when she was 16 years old. She saved money earned as a seamstress to purchase her first bike. In 1885, at age 18, she broke the century record for the Elgin-Aurora Race, and went on to race in women’s six day races around the country. The League of American Wheelman named her the best woman cyclist in the world, and she maintained the title of Champion of the World Ladies’ Six Day Bicycle Races from 1895-1902. Out of 130 races, she won 123. In 1902, women were barred from the sport, but she remained active in the cycling community until her death at age 90, and advocated for the inclusion of bike paths in Chicago’s park system.
Tillie is 9” tall. She is constructed of recycled wool and denim and wears a vintage handkerchief frock.
Tillie Anderson came to Chicago from Sweden when she was 16 years old. She saved money earned as a seamstress to purchase her first bike. In 1885, at age 18, she broke the century record for the Elgin-Aurora Race, and went on to race in women’s six day races around the country. The League of American Wheelman named her the best woman cyclist in the world, and she maintained the title of Champion of the World Ladies’ Six Day Bicycle Races from 1895-1902. Out of 130 races, she won 123. In 1902, women were barred from the sport, but she remained active in the cycling community until her death at age 90, and advocated for the inclusion of bike paths in Chicago’s park system.
Tillie is 9” tall. She is constructed of recycled wool and denim and wears a vintage handkerchief frock.
Tillie Anderson came to Chicago from Sweden when she was 16 years old. She saved money earned as a seamstress to purchase her first bike. In 1885, at age 18, she broke the century record for the Elgin-Aurora Race, and went on to race in women’s six day races around the country. The League of American Wheelman named her the best woman cyclist in the world, and she maintained the title of Champion of the World Ladies’ Six Day Bicycle Races from 1895-1902. Out of 130 races, she won 123. In 1902, women were barred from the sport, but she remained active in the cycling community until her death at age 90, and advocated for the inclusion of bike paths in Chicago’s park system.
Tillie is 9” tall. She is constructed of recycled wool and denim and wears a vintage handkerchief frock.