From an “upbringing…rich in non-denominational ethics of morality and peace”, to flapper, to wife, MILDRED LISSETTE NORMAN RYDER, a.k.a. Peace Pilgrim, has always followed her own path. While she was the first female to thru hike the Appalachian Trail, this was merely the beginning of her transformation.
Mildred Ryder was vehemently anti-war, a stance that resulted in the dissolution of her marriage during WWII. This is just one reason her story received little attention at the time of her thru hike in 1952. Reason two? She’s a divorceé. Reason three? She thru hiked with a man who wasn’t her husband. <cue gasp> None of this fazed her. Why? Because while hiking the 2000+ mile trail she discovered her purpose in life: spreading the message of peace. Thus, Peace Pilgrim was born.
Unlike Mildred, who hiked with all the necessities of life packed into a knapsack, Peace Pilgrim only traveled with a pen, toothbrush, and hairbrush, instead relying on the kindness of strangers for shelter and food. For the next 23 years, Peace Pilgrim crisscrossed the United States, covering over 25,000 miles as she spread her message.
Like Peace Pilgrim, hundreds of hikers have found solace and clarity in the silence and beauty of the Appalachian Trail.