Ally

A few years ago, in partnership with the AMGA and Brown Girls Climb (BGC)*, I started working to offer Single Pitch Instructor Training to women of color. 

This all-women, pilot program aimed to help bring racial diversity to climbing instructors by teaching women of color the skills they need to become certified Single Pitch Instructors.

The first course was a huge milestone: it was the first time an all-female instructor team taught an SPI course. As well, all of the participants were female.

Since then, we’ve held a total of three courses and one assessment. As a result, we’ve added four women of color to the ranks of Certified Single Pitch Instructors. Eventhough this is only a small step towards bringing diversity into outdoor spaces, it’s a step in the right direction.

Women of color in leadership roles will serve as role models for younger generations of girls, influencing and inspiring them to get outdoors and challenge themselves. 

Climbing is an excellent vehicle for affirming the message that you can do hard things, you are strong, independent and confident. 

Want to help out? 

BGC has put together a great resource guide on how you can be an ally in the Black Lives Matter movement. Visit the Ally Resource Guide on the BGC website. There are many levels of engagement. You can choose one that works for you:

• Register to Vote
• Make a Donation
• Sign a Petition
• Contact Representatives and Officials
• Listen, Watch or Read Anti-Racism Resources

Foundational to the Chicks creed and mission is gender equality in climbing and skiing. We stand for human rights and against violence and systemic racism.

Stand up for black people, their lives depend on it. 

*Brown Girls Climb is a Women of Color owned and operated company with the mission to promote and increase the visibility of diversity in climbing by establishing a community of climbers of color, encouraging leadership opportunities for self-identified women climbers of color, and by creating inclusive opportunities to climb and explore for underrepresented communities.

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