At the age of 67, Emma Rowena Gatewood informed her adult children that she was going out for a walk. Little did they know that her βwalkβ would make history. Gatewood became the first woman to hike the entire 2,168-mile Appalachian Trail solo and in one season, starting from Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia and ending at Mount Katahdin in Maine.
Gatewood, often called “Grandma Gatewood,” was a farmerβs wife from Ohio and a mother to 11 children, who in turn gave her 24 grandchildren. Her remarkable journey was not only a testament to her physical endurance but also to her indomitable spirit. She survived a marriage marked by severe domestic violence, escaping her abusive husband after many years. Her trek on the Appalachian Trail was a form of liberation and healing.
Gatewood’s first thru-hike in 1955 was done with minimal gear: she wore Keds sneakers, carried a homemade denim bag, and relied on her knowledge of foraging and the kindness of strangers along the way. She completed the trail again in 1960 and section-hiked it in 1963, becoming an enduring symbol of perseverance and adventure.
Her journey brought significant attention to the Appalachian Trail and inspired future generations of hikers. Emma Gatewood’s legacy lives on, not only in the hiking community but also as a powerful story of resilience and the enduring human spirit.
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I hope, through the publication of positive stories and resources, to energize readers to take their own actions to make our world a better place. If you are already there, thanks!!
Have a healthy and impactful life, Peter Prichard
-WEBSITE/BLOG – Have Positive Impact – https://havepositiveimpact.com/
The focus of my Daily Positive Impact posts is captured in many studies:
–Researchers at the University of Southampton found in a study involving over 2,000 respondents that consuming bad news can cause anxiety and an overall bad mood. Uplifting news, on the other hand, motivated readers to make a positive impact rather than lament societal issues.
–Witnessing acts of kindness produces Oxytocin, which aids in lowering blood pressure and improving our overall heart-health. Oxytocin also increases our self-esteem and optimism: www.randomactsofkindness.org