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.
Lori, you find the most intriguing stories! I’m so grateful to all the Julias who broke new ground for women.
Thanks! I’m glad you’re finding some of these earlier stories!
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.