Pioneers in Bloomers: The True Story of the Pedestriennes - British Sport's First Female Celebrities

The Victorian era 'pedestriennes' were pioneering efforts of the Victorian era to participate in professional sport, competing against each other or against the clock for cash prizes. They were shocked by their chutzpah and became rich and famous, but many had a torrid time. They were pioneers for womens rights, adopting the daring new 'bloomers costume from America.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2022
Publisher: The Book Guild Ltd

Women's sports are finally thriving in Britain, but the pioneering efforts of the Victorian era 'pedestriennes' who laid the foundations for modern women to participate in professional sports are largely unrecognized. Dozens of these working-class women abandoned humdrum lives to become history's first professional sportswomen. They bravely put personal safety and decorum aside to tackle astonishing walking contests of 1,000 miles or more, competing against each other or against the clock, chasing cash prizes to feed and clothe their families.

Victorian society was shocked by their chutzpah. Several of the women became rich and famous, but many had a torrid time. Huge crowds watched them trekking day and night. The public loved them, but the authorities wanted them banned. The walks were often riotous affairs that attracted gamblers, drinkers, and rowdy behavior, but it was the women themselves who would be lambasted in the press, condemned as immoral and despicable.

The controversy only intensified when they adopted the daring new 'bloomers costume from America, but with hindsight, it is clear they were pioneers for women's rights.

Weight: 502g
Dimension: 157 x 232 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781915352323