Over 30 years ago, Evelyn Hannon launched a global movement to empower women

By Carolyn Ray

When Evelyn Hannon, the founder of JourneyWoman, went on her first solo trip, she was afraid. She was alone. She didn’t know what the future would look like.

But she didn’t listen to conventional wisdom. She followed her heart. 

She took another step forward when she launched JourneyWoman.com, a grassroots website movement to connect women travellers around the world.

She told women: ‘you can do it!’ and inspired a generation to travel solo.

As JourneyWomen, we take the first step. We have an important role to play in the world.

We may not know exactly what the future looks like, but we know it will be different than what it is now. The COVID-19 pandemic has slowed us down, but it has not stopped our efforts to prepare for a time when we will travel again.

Let’s take the first step, together 

In periods of uncertainty, pressing onward can seem a near-impossible task. It’s like signing up for a race without knowing whether you’re running a 5k, 10k, half-marathon or full-marathon. We’re all putting one foot in front of the other in the mother of all marathons right now – a global race to beat COVID-19. There’s no clear finish line in sight. But you know what? That’s okay, because as any marathoner knows, you don’t complete the journey by focusing on the finish line. That way lies fatigue. You do it by focusing on that first step out of the starting line. And then the next one. And the next one after that. Marathons are won in micro-steps with macro effort. By staying rooted in the now. By taking each step and each leg of the race as it comes.

This is the ethos of JourneyWoman.

We take that first step into the unknown. Boldly. Decisively. Fear, doubt, anxiety, worry – these might weigh down our travel packs. Might make that first step and those that follow a little shaky. But the point is, we take that step. Right now, that step could be simply staying home. Or lending our unique skills to ease the burden on essential workers, or support the vulnerable. To calling that friend and asking how they’re doing. Asking again how they’re really doing when they say ‘fine.’ Holding space for the truth, and all of the emotions that truth stirs up. Some days, taking the first step could mean literally stepping out of bed when it’s the last thing we want to do.

Whatever steps you are taking to weather this crisis, we invite you to take them with us.

As a JourneyWoman.

Share your wisdom and feedback in the comments below, or join us on our Facebook Group for more discussion.

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