Featured image: Joyce in Antarctica in 2001 with Emperor Penguins, including one that nibbled her boots | Photo credit Joyce Perrin
Perrin receives second annual Evelyn Hannon Award for Solo Travel
by JourneyWoman Staff
For International Women’s Day 2025, JourneyWoman CEO Carolyn Ray has announced that Canadian solo traveller Joyce Perrin, 88, as the 2025 JourneyWoman Evelyn Hannon Award recipient. Perrin has travelled solo to 156 countries and 31 territories and says it’s never too late to get started in solo travel. Announced in 2024 for JourneyWoman’s 30th anniversary, the Evelyn Hannon Award is an annual award that honours a woman in the JourneyWoman community who personifies the values of JourneyWoman founder Evelyn Hannon, helping to extend her legacy. The first Award was given to Scottish-born Canadian Joy Fox, 89, in March 2024.
“I had the opportunity to meet Joyce several years ago and interview her about her memoir, “Ants In My Pants”, which shares her adventures across seven continents,” says Carolyn Ray, JourneyWoman CEO. “Not only was I inspired by her energy and positivity, but also her invitation to invite women to fulfill their dreams at any age. She is proof that it’s never too late to follow your passion.”
Perrin says: “It is an absolute honour to receive an award named for a remarkable woman who changed the landscape of travel for women worldwide—Evelyn Hannon, the pioneering founder of JourneyWoman. Evelyn was more than a traveler; she was a trailblazer. At a time when solo female travel was met with skepticism, she forged a path that empowered countless women to explore the world on their terms. She built JourneyWoman as a website and a movement that encouraged independence, curiosity, and, most importantly, connection.”
She continues: “Today, JourneyWoman continues to thrive under the leadership of Carolyn Ray, who has expanded Evelyn’s vision into a global sisterhood of travellers. Carolyn has not only preserved the spirit of JourneyWoman, but she has strengthened it—offering new opportunities, mentorship, and inspiration for women of all ages to embrace adventure. Her dedication has been recognized with numerous honors, a testament to her commitment to ensuring that Evelyn’s legacy lives on.”
Never too late to travel solo
Throughout her married life, Perrin says her dream of seeing more of the world was never too far from her mind. But it didn’t happen until she was in her 50s, after a lifelong career in healthcare, when her children were grown and married.
Perrin graduated from the University of Alberta in Nursing, University of Toronto- Hospital Administration and Harvard School of Public Health-Health Systems Management. From being a registered nurse to hospital CEO, Perrin also worked for the World Health Organization, touching (and changing) lives in healthcare settings in the Middle East, Africa, and South America, even cofounding a hospice program in Panama.
Her opportunity to travel solo came in 1993 when she was offered a healthcare role in an Arab country. She sold her condo and put her belongings in storage. She then crisscrossed the world for over 20 years until returning to Toronto in 2016.
In 2024, she published her memoir, called “Ants in My Pants”, to share her life lessons and wisdom to inspire others.
Words of wisdom for other women who think they’re too old to travel/travel solo?
How do you get started in solo travel?
Take time to write out a long-range plan to visit specific countries.Then indicate the locations to see over time, starting with the most physically demanding and difficult ones. Travelling solo means you make your decisions and plans and are responsible for your choices, right or wrong. You grow and develop over time. Start with groups to get your feet wet; then, you can travel alone when you feel comfortable.
What is your most memorable experience?
There are many, but one taught me that different cultures have many unique responsibilities for women. I lived with a Shona Family in Zimbabwe, where I undertook the manual labour and duties of the Shona women in the family. I washed the clothes in the river and cooked in a smoky hut on a wood fire circled by stones. I lived a Shona woman’s life, and it was hard manual labour. I experienced how these women are under a burden in this society.
Do you have any regrets?
I am proud to say I have no regrets about how I spent my life. I have touched many lives one person at a time, whether it be the clients at the Panama Hospice and Respite Foundation I co-founded, the many healthcare professionals I taught for the World Health Organization and other programs, the students I spoke to at my grandchildren’s school and, of course, my family. Touching lives and making connections around the world is my legacy.
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JourneyWoman Staff
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I knew and admired Evelyn. We started our magazine at the same time and often gave each other some tips on solo women trips plus group press trips..
Although I don’t write as much now due to my age ( 80s) and invites go to Influencers under 40 these days, I still continue the need and want to write. I never wanted or want to retire.
I have only been to 105 countries, from Bhutan and Mongolia to equally lovely countries eg 13 trips to India. I adore exotic countries.
Bravo to this year’s winner. and the many more countries she has been to.
Since you have taken over a wonderful magazine, I admire your new additions, I want to congratulation you on your ever expanding smarts in this difficult industry.
Continue to enjoy every new anecdote thoughtful paragrap