What a fascinating and well-written story! I never thought that women cab drivers were a thing, but it makes complete sense. In Japan there are cars on the subway marked “women only,” presumably to make women feel more comfortable in crowded conditions. I was also shocked at Julia Sullivan’s suicide. It made me want to know more of her personal life and struggles. Thanks for a great read, Lori!
What a sad ending to such a unique and courageous person!
I was enchanted with her story- I immediately thought of Betty Garret in one of my favorite movies "On the Town."
I have an observant Muslim friend who often has to explain to people why she can't just "get a lift" from a man not a member of her family. Having heard more than a few stories about Ubercreeps, I love the idea of a woman-only taxi service for women!
Thank you for sharing Julia's wonderful and ultimately sad story. Until Uber, London only had black cabs. Anyone who wanted a licence to drive one had to pass 'The Knowledge', which was a test to show the driver knew all the streets of central London and the fastest way to get from A to B. Shirley Preston was the first woman to pass The Knowledge in April 1967. Much later than Julia or Gaby!
It’s a brilliant idea in a place that many women prefer not to spend time alone with unrelated men. Plus, as a woman, it can be less intimidating to get into an unknown car with a stranger who is a woman.
I’ve always felt that riding is a taxi is an act of faith — you must believe that the driver is responsible and a good driver, that they will get you to where you need to go, that they are trustworthy and not a mass murderer or pervert!
Thus my reliance on a hired personal driver most of the time over a hailed taxi.😉
Exhilarating, charming, and heartbreaking all at once. You are a master, Lori. #Brilliant.
As for the ending, I think it drops like an umami bomb in the sense that it reminds you how much more was hidden in the layers of the story you've just read. “Apparently after a falling out with her long time companion and fellow athlete,”... then you read “Bessie.”
A nice, neat story that, by the end, I'm ready to re-read.
What a fascinating and well-written story! I never thought that women cab drivers were a thing, but it makes complete sense. In Japan there are cars on the subway marked “women only,” presumably to make women feel more comfortable in crowded conditions. I was also shocked at Julia Sullivan’s suicide. It made me want to know more of her personal life and struggles. Thanks for a great read, Lori!
Thanks, @Ruth! I didn’t know they had special women only subway cars in Japan - it’s one of the few places we’ve not yet been.
What a sad ending to such a unique and courageous person!
I was enchanted with her story- I immediately thought of Betty Garret in one of my favorite movies "On the Town."
I have an observant Muslim friend who often has to explain to people why she can't just "get a lift" from a man not a member of her family. Having heard more than a few stories about Ubercreeps, I love the idea of a woman-only taxi service for women!
I’d forgotten all about that movie- thanks!
Women only cabs are a great idea and very popular across much of the Middle East and have opened up a new line of work for women. Win win
Connected a lot of dots there. Nicely done.
Thank you for sharing Julia's wonderful and ultimately sad story. Until Uber, London only had black cabs. Anyone who wanted a licence to drive one had to pass 'The Knowledge', which was a test to show the driver knew all the streets of central London and the fastest way to get from A to B. Shirley Preston was the first woman to pass The Knowledge in April 1967. Much later than Julia or Gaby!
I’ve heard about that test - man what a challenge but it definitely shows when you have drivers who know how to manage the traffic and roadways.
What a great story but the suicide ending came as a complete shock. The effect perhaps intended.
The research suggested the same surprise and abruptness from the people who knew her and her community.
In the original writing, I actually didn’t include her death for that very reason. But how do you tell the end of her story without it?
Such things happened and as historians I think we can't sweep suicide under the rug. You handled it well in this version, I thought.
Women driving taxis for hire in pink cars--who knew!
It’s a brilliant idea in a place that many women prefer not to spend time alone with unrelated men. Plus, as a woman, it can be less intimidating to get into an unknown car with a stranger who is a woman.
I’ve always felt that riding is a taxi is an act of faith — you must believe that the driver is responsible and a good driver, that they will get you to where you need to go, that they are trustworthy and not a mass murderer or pervert!
Thus my reliance on a hired personal driver most of the time over a hailed taxi.😉
Exhilarating, charming, and heartbreaking all at once. You are a master, Lori. #Brilliant.
As for the ending, I think it drops like an umami bomb in the sense that it reminds you how much more was hidden in the layers of the story you've just read. “Apparently after a falling out with her long time companion and fellow athlete,”... then you read “Bessie.”
A nice, neat story that, by the end, I'm ready to re-read.