Written by L’Nyah Mattress
Flying down the highway, seven leather jackets fall in line for a monthly ride along. Patched on the front of the jackets are the words, “I am my sister’s keeper.” At the core of the group is Donna Vann, aka Honeybee, the founder and president of Wild Ones.
The women of Wild Ones, a Chattanooga-based women-only motorcycle riding club, create a space for women and sisterhood in a male dominated pastime. With each approaching second the thunder of engines grow and the painted nail emboldened on the back of their jackets comes into focus.
“The reason it’s called Wild Ones is because my mom used to say I was her wild child,” Donna Vann said.
The Wild Ones Women’s Riding Club is a new club in the riding scene, only having been official for almost two years, but some of the women have been together for longer. The Vice President of the Wild Ones, Susan “Biff” George stated she met the club president and other founding members at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“A friend of mine that doesn’t actually even ride signed me up for the all-female ride that they were having that year at Harley, and so I went and I met these women and been riding with them pretty much ever since,” George said.
All women are encouraged to reach out to inquire about joining the club on their rides. Potential members must be at least 18 years old, able to safely and confidently ride a bike 600cc+ and above and value strengthening and upholding the sisterhood.
“We wanted something just for the girls. We don’t care whatcha ride, who you are, even your skill level. We wanted to create a safe space for women to just be girls,” Vann said.
Members are allowed and encouraged to organize their own rides, some of which allow men to join them.
“It’s not that we don’t love men, I’m not bashing them, I’d be lost without my husband,” Vann said.
A few of the Wild Ones got their start in riding because of the men in their lives. George started riding when she was 12, after her uncle taught her how to ride his Harley. Her first bike, a Rockford Chibi 60, was gifted to her by her father.
For other members of the group like Ashley Lane, riding was instilled in them young.
“I’ve been on the back of a bike since I was five. My uncles rode, my dad rode, my brother rode. I’ve always been riding. When I bought [my bike]… 10,000 miles my first year,” said Lane.
The club hosts a special event once a month that is specifically for female members only, no outside invites allowed. This gathering is dedicated to bringing the girls together to share in the experience and camaraderie of motorcycling. By creating a supportive environment, these rides help to empower women and build a strong sense of community among participants.
They offer a chance for riders to break free from routine, explore scenic routes and forge new friendships along the way.
“One of the things we say in our group is on our monthly rides, it’s all chicks, no sticks,” Vann said. “What that means is women only and we do that because though a lot of us have husbands or boyfriends, we need our time away. It just helps it be more organic for the women.”
Community and camaraderie are a big aspect of the Wild Ones and values they strive to uphold—the women in this group are there for one another through thick and thin. Outside of riding, they enjoy their time together by organizing tipsy painting, pedicures, bonfires and more.
“I always try to say, look, this is a home base here. [It’s like] When you’re playing freeze tag as a kid, you can come here [safe zone], you can be safe,” Vann said. “We can talk about makeup and eyelashes and oil and gas all at the same time and enjoy it.”
From the confines of the home to the freedom of the open road, the Wild Ones is full of wild spirits who break down the barrier that tells women who they should be. It’s not just a group to ride with—it’s a movement that celebrates independence, adventure and sisterhood on the back of a bike.
Pigtails and ponytails escape their helmets and drape down their leather jackets branded with their iconic Wild Ones logos dawning painted nails and all.
Conquering the Open Road
Written by Taryn Brooks
To ride or not to ride? Whether it’s winding down a calm back road or coasting along a scenic highway, learning how to ride a motorcycle can be a daunting endeavor. For riders like Wild Ones member Darlene Higgins, it’s threaded through their family line.
“Growing up I was a little bit of a tomboy, so I was around when my mother rode, my father rode, and my brother rode. I enjoyed riding behind my brother,” Higgins said.
When it’s time to get behind the handlebars, finding a bike is the first and most personalized step in riding. Higgins advises beginners to start with smaller bikes they can confidently handle.
The choice to start with a smaller bike isn’t just about maneuverability; it’s about developing foundational skills and feeling empowered with each ride. By choosing a bike that matches their strength and size, riders can focus on enjoying the ride, building confidence and mastering techniques at a pace that suits them.
“How you learn to [handle the weight] is when you get on the bike and take it off the kickstand. You learn to move the weight,” Higgins said.
Having a perfect-sized bike makes the learning process much more manageable. The best advice Higgins can offer to a local new rider is to sign up for Chattanooga State’s Motorcycle Basic Riders Course. The school provides street legal practice bikes and awards students with their licenses upon completing the course.
Throughout Higgins’ riding career, she’s piloted bikes of all shapes, sizes and weights, exploring what each has to offer. From hefty cruisers that require strength and stamina to lightweight models that feel nimble and responsive, she’s seen firsthand how a bike’s weight can affect the overall ride.
As the years have passed, she has found herself gravitating towards lighter bikes. It’s not about capability, but rather about enjoying the ride without unnecessary strain.
“It got to the point where I didn’t have the strength to push it backward. If I know I don’t have the strength, I’m not going to endanger myself,” Higgins said.
Before hitting the road; remember to gear up. Investing in a high-quality helmet, pants over shorts (denim jeans are a fan favorite within the community), and quality boots are essential to a rider’s safety. What a rider chooses to wear is their sole protection against the asphalt. While it may be tempting to shed the layers, Higgins says to always “dress for the slide.”
Most importantly to Higgins, finding the right group to ride with transforms the open-air experience into something truly meaningful. Riding with the Wild Ones Motorcycle Club provides Higgins with more than a sense of security, it offers a space where a unique sisterhood thrives.
“When you find a good group of women, they’re going to support you. But at the same time, they’re your safe spot. You couldn’t ask for better people,” Higgins said.
Whether it’s through family heritage or a desire for the freedom of the open road, riders from all backgrounds can push past the fear and experience the thrill of the ride firsthand.
The thunder of engines can be heard from the distance, and as the rumble grows closer a staggered group of women.
Meet the Storytellers
Alexis McMurtry is a senior Communication major at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with minors in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality studies. McMurtry’s experience lies in multimedia journalism with experience as Photo Editor for the University Echo and as Assistant Editor for Rising Rock. She is passionate about her leadership roles and advocates for those that are hidden on the fringes of society. McMurtry believes that everyone has a story to be told. To tell your story through her lens, reach out to wzv284@mocs.utc.edu.
Andrew Farmer is a senior at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga with a major in Communication and a minor in Marketing. While Farmer enjoys written and video work, his real passion lies in still photography. Through which he likes to capture and tell the stories of those who have yet to have theirs told. Farmer currently works at UTC in the Department of Communication and Marketing, primarily assisting with planning content for the university website. After graduating in Spring 2025, he hopes to pursue a career in Brand Management or Digital Marketing of some kind. To contact Farmer reach out at vtf351@mocs.utc.edu or view his work here.
L’Nyah Mattress is a senior Communication major attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with a minor in Creative Writing. While Mattress does not have extensive professional experience, she has gained many skills in her educational career. She has experience in writing, graphic design, photography and videography. A vast amount of her experience lies in writing, with roots in creating fiction, poetry and music. Due to her strong sense of community, Mattress strives to share the stories of those who are forgotten or have not had the opportunity to have their story shared. Everyone has a story worth being told, and Mattress wants to tell yours. If you would like to have your story shared by her, reach out to mns819@mocs.utc.edu.
Megan Cooper is a senior Communication student at University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC). Cooper currently works as UTC’s student-run radio station, the Perch, station manager and promotions director, and she has done work in journalism courses where she learned to be a storyteller with nothing except the tone of a voice. She can be found meeting with on air student-hosts about their shows, planning events to represent the Perch to Chattanooga and UTC, or jamming to music on her own radio show. Cooper’s passion lies in listening to music, radio, and using stories to bring people together. Cooper’s love of radio began as she listened to conversational radio shows like Knoxville’s Marc and Kim Show every morning on her drive to school. To connect with Megan you can reach her at mpq877@ mocs.utc.edu.
Taryn Brooks is a senior attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga as a Communication major with a minor in Marketing. Brooks originally found her passion for storytelling in her multi-media journalism course and picking up a camera in her photojournalism course only excelled her love. She exemplifies her skills in journalism, visual/audio creating and editing, and photography at her internship with CH-AI: Chattanooga’s Artificial Intelligence Initiative. She has effortlessly fallen in love with the creative outlets her communication degree offers and finds herself with an ever-growing passion for the marketing world. After graduation she hopes to become the bridge between the two. She strives to give life to businesses who stand for bettering the communities around them. Contact her rqm746@mocs.utc.edu.