Bessie & Roxey

Bessie and Roxey. . , The sculpture by artist Donald Lipski depicts two extraordinary figures, Bessie and Roxey, whose stories of courage and determination have often gone untold. The whimsical pairing celebrates these notable Long Island residents who did not cross paths but are interconnected through their ties to the area and early 20th century transportation. Their shared local history is forever preserved. , Bessica Raiche , On September 16, 1910, Bessica (Bessie) Raiche became the first woman in the United States accredited with piloting an airplane solo. She and her husband built the biplane in their Mineola home before several flights at Hempstead Plains. Their flyer used bamboo, silk and piano wire instead of the heavier steel and canvas used by the Wright brothers. After receiving a diamond-studded gold medal from the Aeronautical Society of America inscribed to the "First Woman Aviator of America," Bessie and her husband started their own company in Mineola building planes and giving flying lessons. Her aviation career lasted a few more years before she moved to California to continue her previous career as a physician--one of the first American women to specialize in obstetrics and gynecology. She is remembered as a "new woman of the modern era," who drove a car and practiced the sport of shooting and swimming. Bessie died of complications from heart disease in 1932. , Roxey the LIRR Dog , In 1901, a free-spirited pooch named Roxey (Roxie) made his way to Long Island Rail Road's Garden City Station. There are several versions of how the puppy came to board the train, but the fact remains that he was cared for and well-fed by railroad crew and passengers. He became the LIRR mascot, with an official pass to sit wherever he chose while train hopping. Roxey often returned to sleep with the station master in Garden City who adopted him. On several occasions, the LIRR dog traveled with President Teddy Roosevelt in his private car to Oyster Bay and even visited the President's home at Sagamore Hill. Roxey passed away in 1914 and lies in rest next to Sunrise Highway at Merrick Station where loyal commuters come to bring flowers and freshen his water bowl. Roxey's story is told in the children's book "Miles of Smiles," by Heather Hill Worthington., Captions: , Portrait of Bessie courtesy of Nancy Raiche and John Miller. , Portrait of Roxey from a postcard collection of David D. Morrison. , Medal awarded to Bessie, courtesy of Ashley Shelby and John Wiker. , In 1903, Roxey was presented with a collar with the above text engraved on a plate. , Illustration of Teddy Roosevelt and Roxey by Bill Farnsworth, from "Miles of Smiles" by Heather Hill Worthington. , Newspaper clipping from "New York Times," July 9 1911 , Bessie in her airplane, courtesy of Ashley Shelby and John Wiker. , Newspaper clipping from "Rockford Register-Gazette," September 24, 1910. , Bessie and Roxey, 2023 , Donald Lipski, Artist , Christopher Collins, Modeling Artist , Art Castings of Colorado, Fabricator , Commissioned by MTA Arts and Design and Long Island Rail Road