Walking With Women Making History

The Arabia Alliance introduced a new walking series celebrating Women’s History Month and it was a big hit!

Women, get your walk on! In celebration of Women’s History Month throughout March, the Arabia Mountain Heritage Area Alliance hosted a series of new themed walks entitled “Walking With Women Making History.” The Arabia Alliance team invited a specific group of women to each walk, which happened on Wednesday mornings this month. This was a way to commemorate and acknowledge the local women who’ve worked hard to make a positive impact in our community.

Week 1 – The NHA

Kicking off the series of walks, on March 8, was our own Executive Director Revonda Cosby along with a group of local women who are regulars in the NHA. Ranger Mike joined the hike and gave insightful information about the surrounding plants and animals, including rare, red diamorpha just staring to grow in solution pits.

Arabia Alliance Executive Director Revonda Cosby kicks off the walking series with a stirring speech about women’s history.

Hikers admire fresh diamorpha with Ranger Mike (3rd from right).

Week 2 – Law Enforcement

On March 15, local women working in law enforcement joined the Arabia Alliance for the weekly walk. DeKalb County Police Chief Mirtha Ramos and DeKalb County Sheriff Melody Maddox joined fellow officers, sheriffs, and deputies as the group walked down the PATH from the farmhouse to the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center. With two-dozen walkers, we noticed an uptick in participation on week two!

Sheriff Melody Maddox (in earmuffs) enjoying conversation with fellow walkers

Group photo at the Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Center. Bicycling officers joined us on the trail this week.

Week 3 – Naturalists

The latest walk happened on March 22 and featured Sally Sears, Kendra Price, and Revonda Cosby founders of the Georgia Beloved Naturalist Program. Along joined a group of enthusiastic local walkers and other friends of the NHA. We walked the Vaughters’ Farm Meadow Loop Trail and added a spur on the Woodland Trail that took us out to a beautiful rock outcrop.

Participants walk toward the barn at Vaughters’ Farm.

From left to right: Sally Sears, Revonda Cosby, and Kendra Price, founders of the Georgia Beloved Naturalist Program.

Walkers gather at the junction of the Vaughters’ Meadow Loop trail and the Woodland Trail.

Week 4 – The Mayors

Our final stroll on Wednesday, March 29 featured the mayors of the cities of Lithonia and Stonecrest, Shameka Reynolds and Jazzmin Cobble, respectively. Both spoke about the communal importance of exercise, outdoor recreation, and protecting these greenspaces for all. The mayors along with other walkers got a good look at fresh, red diamorpha on the verge of blooming as well as salamander egg masses in an outcrop pond.

Great news for those who couldn’t make it in March: the Wednesday morning walks are being continued into April on the 12th and 26th. (Check the Calendar of Events at ArabiaAlliance.org for more details soon.) Don’t miss these opportunities to stretch your legs, enjoy some nice scenery, and learn more about the NHA.