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An empowering network. A unique event.

Celebrate Grandma Gatewood's Legacy with Us!

Every year, Prime Time for Women honors Grandma Gatewood’s legacy with a series of hikes, designed for different ability levels. 

Register for the hike of your choice! Through this event, Prime Time for Women hopes to connect and inspire women. Prime Time for Women will donate a portion of the proceeds to Be The Match to raise awareness of their Bone Marrow Registry and raise funds to help those suffering from blood cancers receive the life-saving bone marrow transplants they need. Together we can save the life of another!

Participating is Easy

Step 1: Register below for the hike of your choice
Step 2: If you are local, register for Grandma Gatewood’s Birthday Bash
Step 3: Meet at Pen Mar Park at 9:30 AM to sign waivers, pick up commemorative long-sleeve, high-performance shirts and then get hiking at 10:00 AM!

October 21, 2023 – 9:30am
Pen Mar Park 14600 Pen Mar High Rock

Who is Grandma Gatewood?

Grandma Gatewood was the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine, and she accomplished this feat at 67 years of age!  She was a survivor of severe domestic violence that left her hospitalized many times. When she was discouraged from hiking the 2,091 miles trail, she did it anyway!  She was not limited by the perceptions of others.  Grandma Gatewood embraced challenges as adventures, and pursued possibilities rather than probabilities.

Literally and figuratively, you can follow in the footsteps of this amazing woman! Enjoy the beauty of nature and the brilliant autumn foliage as you connect with other women who, like Grandma Gatewood, believe in their power to make dreams come true!

Register Today...

Gentle Hike is an out and back ¾ mile walk that will start and end at Pen Mar Park. Walking south on the AT, hikers will have a breathtaking view of the valley below in its full autumnal glory.  Hiking this relatively flat trail is a great way to spend a glorious day with friends while experiencing the majesty of nature.

Back at the park, Gentle Hikers will have the opportunity to attend “The Grandma Gatewood/Strong Woman Workshop” conducted by Tina Fraley, PTFW Board Member and owner of Power House Studio. Tina will share Gatewood’s story, highlighting this amazing woman’s belief in herself, her ability to overcome incredibly difficult circumstances and her perseverance in realizing her dreams. Tina, who knows that all women face challenges, will share her story of overcoming life’s obstacles, and give workshop participants a chance to share theirs as well.

As we say at Prime Time for Women, “Every woman deserves to be seen and heard…and when they are, they inspire!  Following the workshop, participants will drive 1.9 miles south to High Rock Overlook to connect with the Intermediate/Advance hikers for group photos!

The Intermediate/Advanced Hike will start at Pen Mar Park heading south on the Appalachian Trail and end at High Rock Overlook. The first part of this 3-mile trail is relatively flat with some rolling hills and glorious views of the valley below, giving nature lovers a chance to enjoy the beauty of the natural world.  

But the last mile of this trail is a bit more demanding!  With a rocky, steep incline, hikers will gain 838.6 feet in elevation before reaching the majestic High Rock Overlook, where all the hikers will gather for group photos.  Volunteers will drive hikers back to their vehicles at Pen Mar Park.

Can’t make it to the hike? No problem!  You can join us virtually and support two worthy nonprofits. Be sure to share your shirt size and address so PTFW can send you a really cool shirt! Take and send pictures of your hike! We will share them on our website and post them on social media!  

Grandma Gatewood's Birthday Bash

Registrants for any hike will receive a quality, high-performance long-sleeve t-shirt and an invitation to join us for  Grandma Gatewood’s Birthday Bash on Wednesday, October 25 at Stone House Urban Winery from 7-9 PM. Please note, that registration for the Birthday Bash is separate with an additional $25 cost. Please register below. 

October 25, 2023 – 7-9pm
Stone House Urban Winery

12810 Shank Farm Way,
Hagerstown, MD 21742

Connect with fellow hikers, share stories of your trail adventures, and sip a complimentary glass of wine (generously provided by Stone House Urban Winery to all who attend) before we cut the cake and sing Happy Birthday to Emma “Grandma” Gatewood.  

At the end of the evening, we will award The Golden Hiking Poles to the woman who raised the most funds to support our mission. Celebrate Grandma Gatewood’s legacy by creating your own! Win the 2023 Golden Hiking Poles Award and have your name etched on our commemorative plaque by raising the most funds to support women in their prime.  Use this link to send to friends, colleagues, and family members to help raise funds that will make a difference for women everywhere. Watch a video of Bernadette Wagner presenting last year’s award to the winner. 

If you plan to attend the Birthday Bash, please register separately below. You don’t have to hike to attend this event.

Are you a business owner interested in celebrating and empowering women?

If so, don’t miss out on the chance to sponsor Prime Time for Women’s 4th Annual Grandma Gatewood Legacy Hike(s).
Click below to view our sponsorship page.

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