Phyllis Harmon

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Phyllis W. Harmon (October 14, 1916 – August 26, 2016) was an American bicycle enthusiast.[1]

The League of American Wheelmen (L.A.W.)[]

The L.A.W., a national organization for cyclists, was founded in 1880 and actively defended the rights of cyclists[2] until 1902, when the League became dormant. In the 1930s, Dick Wilson, a bicycle industry representative, invited members of the Evanston Bicycle Touring Club to become the first chapter of the inactive L.A.W. Harmon, age 19, joined and immediately began recruiting new members. After learning that three clubs could come together and form a council, she encouraged the Rambler Cycle Club and Oak Park Cycle Club to join with the Evanston club to become the first council in the League.[3] After the war, the proliferation of automobiles and narrow highways left little room on the roads for bicycles. Bicycling was no longer safe or fun, so the League became inactive again in 1955.

Harmon served the organization in every conceivable role as volunteer, office staff, historian, treasurer, executive vice president, and interim executive director (a position she held for four years).[3] She also served as editor of the League's monthly bulletin for more than thirty years.[4]

When the League offices moved to Baltimore in 1979, Phyllis retired from her position as editor. The League's then president, Pete Kutschenreuter, said, "During her tenure as our editor, neither rain, snow, Saturdays, broken wrist, dog bite, or illness kept her from getting out our Bulletin at press time."[3] For much of the League's history, Harmon has been called "the heart and soul of the League" as well as "the League's Most Valuable Player, a combination of Lance Armstrong, the Energizer Bunny, Encyclopædia Britannica, and Winston Churchill, all rolled up into one indomitable spirit."[3] Harmon died in August 2016 at the age of 99.[5]

Honors[]

  • In 1979, Harmon was awarded the Dr Paul Dudley White Award, the League of American Wheelmen's top national award, honoring individuals who are an "inspiration to others for his or her commitment to the future of bicycling and to significant progress in education, safety, rights, or benefits of bicycling".[3]
  • In 1985, the League of American Wheelmen established the Phyllis Harmon Volunteer of the Year Award to recognize individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to bicycling.[3]
  • In 2005, she was listed as number 12 in the League of American Bicyclists' Top 25 Change Agents for Cycling, honoring "25 people who indelibly changed the face of cycling in America."[6]
  • In 2006, Harmon was inducted into The Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Hall of Fame.[1]
  • In 2009, Harmon was inducted into the United States Bicycling Hall of Fame and was, at the time, the oldest living member.[1][7]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c Greenfield, John (2014-07-29). Modeshift Volume 4, Issue 2. Active Transportation Alliance. "Phyllis Harmon: "The grande dame of biking". activetrans.org/modeshift/04_02/grande-dame-of-american-cycling. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  2. ^ Sturges, Barbara. "Mission and History". League of American Bicyclists. bikeleague.org/content/mission-and-history. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  3. ^ a b c d e f McCormick, Patrick, J. (2003). "Phyllis W. Harmon: League MVP". wheelmen.com/phyllis_article.htm. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  4. ^ Stanley, Kameel (2011-05-07). Tampa Bay Times. "Lifelong cyclist, 94, finds her wheels with daughter's help". tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/lifelong-cyclist-94-finds-her-wheels-with-daughters-help/1168455. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  5. ^ Staff (2016-08-31). "Phyllis W. Harmon Obituary". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2016-08-31.
  6. ^ Clarke, Andy. Phyllis Harmon. "Change Agents for Cycling". American Bicyclist. Fall 2005: p.14. wheelmen.com/Change_Agents.pdf. Retrieved 2014-07-29.
  7. ^ Wheeling Wheelmen. "US Bicycling Hall of Fame". wheelmen.com/USBHF.htm. Retrieved 2014-07-29.

External links[]

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