Annie Londonderry

First woman to circumnavigate the globe by bicycle while challenging gender norms in the 1890s

Annie 'Londonderry' Kopchovsky (1870-1947) made history as the first woman to cycle around the world, undertaking her groundbreaking 15-month journey from 1894 to 1895. This Jewish immigrant from Latvia revolutionized perceptions of female capability through her daring solo adventure sponsored by Londonderry Lithia Spring Water Company - one of the earliest examples of athletic endorsement deals.

Her 18,000-mile route[1] took her through Chicago, Marseille, Alexandria, Colombo, and San Francisco, often using improvised transport methods when roads became impassable. She carried only a pearl-handled revolver and change of clothes, surviving on wits and promotional appearances.

The journey shattered Victorian stereotypes through unconventional media coverage showing women could handle extreme physical challenges. Londonderry strategically leveraged her fame to advocate for 'the New Woman' ideal, delivering lectures about female independence at major venues like Carnegie Hall.