Big Sue or Sue, the Turtle was the pseudonym of a 19th-century African-American saloon and brothelkeeper in the notorious Arch Block, which ran between Grand Street and Broome Street in New York's 4th Ward. She was thought to also be involved in criminal activities. Sue weighed 350 lbs and a contemporary journalist likened her to a big black turtle standing on its hind legs, from which she gained her turtle nickname.