This is my first public mural. It is apart of a series of murals from other artists to commemorate women’s history month. It will be displayed for the entire month of March 2025. 

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This mural depicts a scene from the Appalachian Trail, a 2,197.4-mile-long footpath that stretches along the Appalachian Mountains from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. On the left side of the scene is an older woman, representing Emma Rowena Gatewood - better known as Grandma Gatewood. She became the first woman to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail in a single attempt. When she accomplished this feat in 1955, she was 67 years old and carried only minimal hiking gear. She later became the first person - man or woman - to complete the entire trail a second time in 1957 at age 69, and again in 1964 at age 72.

 

Beyond her incredible hiking achievements, Grandma Gatewood was a mother of 11 children and a survivor of more than 30 years of domestic abuse. It is believed that she found solace in the woods, often seeking refuge there during her abusive marriage.

 

I chose this subject for my mural because, as an avid hiker and lover of the Appalachian Trail myself (having hiked about 1,700 miles of it), I find Grandma Gatewood’s story deeply inspiring. Her love for the outdoors resonates with me, as I have personally found nature to be a source of healing, peace, and self-acceptance. The natural world fosters a connection to oneself in a way few other environments can, and for me, it has been essential to my mental well-being and sense of belonging.

 

To complement the mural, I included the quote, “A woman who walks with nature walks with the universe” (Amit Ray), as I believe it beautifully captures the themes of healing, self-discovery, and inner strength that can be found in nature. Through this mural, I hope to honor Grandma Gatewood’s legacy and inspire more women - regardless of age or resources - to spend time outdoors and experience the profound impact of nature.