From Appalachia to Our Communities: Rethinking How Desi-Elders Move

Grandma Gatewood’s Walk tells the remarkable story of Emma Gatewood, a 67-year-old woman who became the first person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Her journey is extraordinary—and it challenges the assumptions we often make about aging, particularly for women.

The book unfolds as a chronological account of her trek, pieced together from her journals and historical records by her great-nephew, Ben Montgomery. While I admired Gatewood’s resilience and grit, I found the writing itself at times dry and repetitive, which made it challenging to stay fully engaged.

What kept me reading were the moments when the author zoomed out to provide historical and social context. Reflections on the rise of automobiles, pedestrianism as a sport, and the political shaping of highways added depth. Most compelling were the sections on Gatewood’s life as a survivor of domestic violence—haunting reminders of the societal silence around abuse.

Reading her story also got me thinking about how this intersects with South Asian cultural norms. In our communities, exercise is often overlooked for our elders. Growing up, I rarely saw South Asian seniors actively engaging in physical activity—other than walking casually in Brampton or socializing in parks, playing cards, or chatting. Exercise is often framed as a way to lose weight rather than a means to maintain health, mobility, and mental well-being. How many programs exist that are designed specifically for South Asian elders, where they can feel culturally comfortable, meet others who speak the same language, and genuinely look forward to being active? Gatewood’s story reminds us that it is never too late to move, explore, and prioritize your health—lessons that feel particularly urgent for our communities.