Summits in Solidarity

Melanie here! I became involved with @summitsinsolidarity in 2020, by taking part of their Solidarity Hike Day with my friend and coworker, Claire and donating to the cause. I was out of state in 2021, but rejoined the movement with my friend Molly by my side for another hike and donation in 2022.

I joined the Summits in Solidarity team as a volunteer earlier this year after completing the Me and White Supremacy Challenge. It's been eye opening to see the work behind the scenes and also become more educated on the work needing to be done around diversity and equity, especially in outdoor spaces.

On Juneteenth, Claire and Kate hiked Mount Tom, Field and Avalon for a Solidarity Hike, as well as donated to the cause. I'll be back out there again with a solid crew, hiking over 11 miles round trip to the summit of Zealand June 24th. My team consists of Molly, Kate, Chase, Victoria, Meaghan, Jessie, Erin, Brendan, Ben and Christiana. And I'm hoping to get another hike on Mount Liberty by the end of June with my oldest friend Erin.

We choose to Summit in Solidarity because we understand that hiking is a privilege disproportionately enjoyed by white people, like ourselves, even in 2023. We need to improve outdoor access and look at underlying socioeconomic and cultural factors that create barriers to outdoor participation in order to address this inequity. Join us in spreading the word and providing donations to @blmseacoast and @latinooutdoors_boston this year!

We appreciate ANY contribution - big or small!