Seattle-It was 2005 when Dr. Richard Anderson, a Pacific Northwest antique car aficionado, and his 34-year old daughter Emily, dedicated themselves to recreating Alice's P. Ramsey's epic cross country journey in a Maxwell, almost a century ago. Emily and three other women plan to do that on the 100-year anniversary - June 9th, 2009.
On June 9th, 1909 twenty-two year old Alice Ramsey set out on an epic journey. Three female companions accompanied her; they drove from 1930 Broadway in New York City on a transcontinental journey. Fifty-nine days later Alice would become the first woman to drive across America.
However, they found only one 1909 Maxwell DA – the machine that Alice Ramsey drove, way back when -- left in existence and it wasn't for sale. After a wide search Dr. Anderson began to find pieces from around the world and began to build another 1909 Maxwell DA.
At this writing, both the Horseless Carriage Club of America and the Antique Automobile Club of America are both on board as sponsors, but other sponsors are needed to assist with expenses.
The goal is to complete the car by June 9th, 2009 the 100-year anniversary of Alice's landmark drive; and then, drive away from 1930 Broadway with Emily at the helm and three other women in the car to support. The final destination of the celebration is the St. James Hotel in San Francisco, California - exactly where the original trip concluded.
Along the way multiple celebrations and events to pay homage to women's accomplishments during the last century are planned as tie-ins to this drive.
It's an undertaking that rivals anything NASA – the space agency, not the sports car racing organization – might take on. If things go their way, Dr. Anderson and Emily will get the sponsors they need and prove that "back to the future" can indeed be more than a movie title.
For additional information, visit www.aliceramsey.org or contact Richard Anderson at 206-240-9434, or e-mail: rvanderson5@hotmail.com.
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