She Explores

Ever feel like you're alone in your relationship with the outdoors? Join a group of women who are leading by example in their communities by spending time outside and breaking ground for others to do the same. Amanda Machado shares her experience camping with the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) for a special night near Los Angeles.

Because it was rainy, the group huddled until tarps and told stories about how they find healing in the outdoors. And by doing so, they found friendship and the realization that they weren't going it alone. The event was unique in that the majority of the women are Latina, which added an integral layer to what they had in common. This episode reminds us of the importance of spending time outside with other women and encouraging each other to share.

Women featured in this episode: Special reporter Amanda Machado (learn more at brownenvironmentalist.org); Laura Torres, Megan Hernbroth, Amy Wong, Aracelli Hernandez, Briget Underwood, Christine Mariano, Grace Rougier, Jenifer Mendez, Jenny  Lopez, Nanci Torres-Poblano, Maricela Rosales, Miyuki Gomez, Rebeca Contreras, and Sally Garcia.

Hosted by Gale Straub

In this episode, you'll hear:

• About the purpose of the women's camping trip with NPCA
• Why the women wanted to attend
• Personal early memories of outdoor experiences
• Why "gear shaming" is a thing (but really shouldn't be)
• What it's often like for Latinx to explain their love of the outdoors
  to their families
• How the outdoors is healing for the women who attended
• The ways in which this healing is unique to Latina women and children
  of immigrants
• What the women took away from the experience

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Resources mentioned in this episode:

• National Parks Conservation Association: Website
• Amanda Machado: Portfolio
• Brown Environmentalist
• Vox.com article: The Strangeness of Being a Latina Who Loves Hiking
• REI
• She Explores Facebook Group

Episodes air weekly on Wednesdays-- subscribe wherever you listen so you never miss an episode.

Music for this episode is by Lee Rosevere, Josh Woodward, Kai Engel via freemusicarchive.org with a CC by A license.
Music is also by WMD.