Black Women in the Wilderness: Has Anything Changed?

Nearly 30 years after “Black Women and the Wilderness” was first published in a now-shuttered newsletter, Outdoor Woman, it stands as the most discussed of all my work (or so I’m told). I’ve been astonished by the long reach of the essay, which found me fielding invitations to raft in the Grand Canyon, tour the Everglades, and camp near the Oregon river mentioned in the narrative.

Mindful of the advice of Alice Walker that appears there (“Never be the only one…”), I packed my black Raggedy Ann doll and signed on for every adventure. In addition to the natural wonders I enjoyed on such outings, let the record note that Everglades-area cafes serve fantastic key lime milk shakes. Let it also note that food is a key component of any good adventure.

The popularity of college courses on the environment, sustainability, nature writing, etc., has also provided a forum for me to discuss the piece with students on campuses from Honolulu to Halifax. Indeed,