Remembering Carmelita

Many of us were shocked and saddened to get the recent news that Carmelita Sams has died of cancer. She was a big part of the outdoor/demo portion of our Women Bike Chicago event last March, demonstrating basic bike repair skills and checking out bikes brought to the event.  Her positive energy and words of encouragement were priceless and magical. 

Carmelita checking a bike - photo by Jane Healy

Carmelita checking a bike - photo by Jane Healy

Susan Levin recalls "I did not know Carmelita well, and was not even sure whether she knew my name, but she always recognized me and gave me a huge smile and warm hug of welcome when we saw each other.  She was amazing.  I will always remember her as the confused-then-confident bike rider character in the Bike to Work Week video produced in 2013."

Carmelita has been a role model to many girls and women as a longtime staffer at West Town Bikes.  Her involvement in the girls' bike club and women & trans open shop nights set a positive example to inspire girls and women to ride and maintain their own bikes.

We will miss her smile, her encouraging words and her skill with bikes.  We hope that other women and girls will be motivated to follow in her footsteps.

    - Anne Alt