The founder of a walking group set up to boost the confidence of women of color says it now has over 500 members. Sophia Brown, originally from Whitchurch, Bristol, initiated Steppin Sistas because she "didn't see any Black women walking in certain places or women of color." This walk was meant to get the women involved and has an effect on mental health too, with a testimonial from one of the participants claiming it has helped stop her insomnia.
Zoe Banks Gross, from the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, described the group's activities as "the clear shining example" of what safe spaces should really be about.
An events manager, Ms. Brown grew up in the country near Bath, but she said many women of color experience that "exposure or judgment" as they step into new spaces that catalyzed her to found these group spaces in 2021. "I know the benefits of walking, and I would say that through the pandemic we were in a dark place."
"I thought it would be great to see if we could get more people out so they could feel what walking does for them." As they walk, the women recount experience narratives of their lives. Ms. Brown says that the majority of these women are now quite confident and walking by themselves. "Sometimes I get a little bit emotional about it, because it's like, wow—this group really does support these people."
Not only do they walk in, around, and about Bristol, but they also travel to the coast together and even abroad. Sharing her story to inspire others to get outdoors, Ms. Brown chronicled how the group often walked around Sustrans—the managers of the National Cycle Network routes. Ms. Banks Gross, from the charity, noted that she hoped the example set by Steppin Sistas would inspire others to walk or cycle themselves.
"The National Cycle Network is speaking a common language and partnership since it offers many women-first, and so many others from all walks of life, ways to discover the joy of green space within their very doorstep in a safe, accessible way."