[Pam is a Walking Movement Leader based in Denver, Colorado.]
For me, it all started with Girl Trek – walking to save lives. Saved my life first, then my granddaughter’s, then my community, pulling in as many people as I could. That got me started. Then, I got out in my community and I realized I couldn’t communicate with anybody! There are many Spanish-speaking people in my neighborhood now, where I’ve been for 45 years. I needed to connect. So I joined Walk2Connect and learned how it works, and then I started connecting. I started small, just speaking to people, inviting people to come along, talking to parents at school. And here I am – I can’t stop! I’m addicted. It feels so good!
Walking is a spiritual connection for me. I’m at peace. I can think through things without telephones, TV, kids, traffic, distractions. Talking and walking with other women, we solve our neighborhood problems. And I’m so inspired by Harriet Tubman, because she freed herself first, then she came back for her family, and her friends and people she knew. So, that’s the way we look at it in Girl Trek: heal yourself first, inside and out. Then, go back and bring your granddaughters, your nieces, your sisters. Then reach out and grab your community. All women have the same stresses in life: we’re all caregivers, and we don’t take time for ourselves. I steal my time.