Called "BB" by her friends and honored as "The Motorcycle Queen of Miami" by the Mayor, Bessie was the first African-American woman to ride across the United States solo, eight times. During World War II, Bessie served as one of the few motorcycle dispatch riders for the United States military. Credited with breaking down barriers for both women and African American motorcyclists, Stringfield was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame.

She is portrayed by Sandra Quick, a member of educational storytellers known as "We've Known Rivers."