(Hike Like a Girl)
I have a shirt that says “Hike Like A Girl,” and I absolutely love it. I am the administrator of a hiking group in Houston, Texas, called Houston Women’s Hiking, which has grown to 18,700 members to date. My daughter, Chris, is the co-administrator of the group. She designed the shirt with her daughter in mind.
This shirt is empowering for me. I own it in several different styles, including a tank top, a t-shirt, and a cozy pullover, and I wear it proudly and frequently.
There's a photo of me in this shirt, with my hiking poles as I gaze at the stunning view of Lake Raven at Huntsville State Park in Texas. This image was exactly what I needed to serve as the inspiring opening for my new memoir that talks about the challenges I have faced, "One Foot In Front of the Other: Art, Hiking, and Healing."
What does "Hike Like a Girl" really mean?
My granddaughter has a different interpretation from the derogatory message that my daughter received from doing something "Like a girl" during her childhood. Watch the Instagram reel, and if you are a parent of a girl, try not to cry.
I am incredibly proud of my daughter for recognizing this shift and striving to change the narrative for her daughter. I'm also proud of her husband, who boldly wears a "Hike Like a Girl" shirt in solidarity with his wife. Together, they are working to redefine the message for their daughter, who is one of the strongest and fiercest young women I've had the pleasure to know, besides my own daughter.
A Reminder
I proudly wore my “Hike Like A Girl” tank top in Western New York as I prepared to explore Letchworth State Park. The hotel I was staying at had a senior demographic, and at 65, I was among the younger guests. As I exited the restaurant, a grey-haired, overweight man glanced at my shirt and asked, “What does that mean?” I replied, “What do you think it means?” His response of negativity sparked interjecting moments of reflection.
The man answered, “Does it mean you hike slowly and weakly?” He moved on before I had time to give him a piece of my mind. I wonder if any readers have experienced a similar narrative growing up.
Women and Girls are Strong!
One thing I have learned from the women of Houston Women's Hiking is their incredible strength. Though some may be recovering from injuries or facing the challenges of aging, they push themselves to grow. They find solace in nature, where walking becomes an empowering experience. Together, women hike and uplift one another through every challenge. Regular hiking builds strength and becomes an addictive journey of growth. I often call myself a 'path pusher.'
"Come, my friend, let me introduce you to this path. If you enjoy it, I have even more, bigger, and more challenging ones awaiting you!"
In response to a comment from that man, I felt empowered to write this blog post. Ask your children and especially your daughters what "Hike Like a Girl" means to them, and consider the perspectives of your parents and grandparents. While it may vary by generation, let's transform and solidify this narrative into a positive and uplifting force.
See you in the woods! I'll be hiking like a girl—can you keep up?
When I was growing up I was the only girl in my generation. I had a brother and all male cousins who often told me, “You can’t do that. You’re a girl.” My response was always “Oh, yea. Watch me.” As a result I grew up to be a rather tough young woman who succeeded in what was at the time, the male dominated field of radio broadcasting. The intended put down, “You’re a girl” was actually an inspiration for me. It inspired me to prove my mettle. Hike like a girl does the same thing. But this time I’m proving my mettle to myself rather than someone else. At 67 years old I hike like a girl – fearlessly, with joy, humor, and wonder in the natural world. Hike on, girls!