GladRags Gal on the Road

Hey Everyone, Elizabeth here, GladRags’ elusive third team member.  I’ve been elusive because I’ve spent the past two months out of the office traveling through 28 states via bus, train, bike, car and plane. The primary impetus behind this adventure was an 1800-mile bike ride from New Orleans to New York City called Wanderlust . Wanderlust is a story collective and bicycle caravan. We pedaled 40 to 60 miles a day for about six weeks; listening to stories and observing how communities in the south and northeast are working to expand access to reproductive health care, defend reproductive rights, and promote reproductive justice.  The trip was motivated by the belief that sharing stories is a powerful way to create awareness and foster social change.

Needless to say, it was a life-changing experience in just about every possible way.  I got to connect with activists from all over the country and see what the movement for progressive change looks like on the ground in those places.  More than anything, I think Wanderlust was a fabulous opportunity for me to practice wholly embracing adventure when it comes my way.  Traveling with 11 other women by bicycle, you learn quickly to expect the unexpected; there was always a flat tire to be fixed or a dramatic change in weather to send us scrambling to protect the bikes and gear. For a person who usually relishes routine, it was exciting to learn that I can happily cope with and even meet unexpected challenges with gusto.

I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to participate in a trip like Wanderlust. I seriously recommend that y'all out there seize the opportunity to do something that maybe other people think is crazy, but you believe in passionately, you won't regret it.