On the fourth of July, Diane Samouelle (Sam) will be celebrating.
No, not Uncle Sam’s birthday, but the strength of women.
Drawing inspiration from her own personal experience, Samouelle has organized a walk for women – the Power of Women – to celebrate the resiliency of women who have bounced back from hardship.
“It’s basically just to show the strength and power of women,” Samouelle says.
“The strength of women as care givers, home makers, mothers.”
While the walk is a celebration of women, men and children are also welcome to join in the event.
“It’s from age two to 102, whether you can walk, are in a wheelchair or in crutches,” Samouelle says.
Participation is by donation, and Samouelle stresses that people are only to give what they can.
“If someone can only afford a loonie or a toonie, so be it,” says Samouelle.
“The purpose of the walk is to make a statement. It’s a strength thing.”
But at the same time, it will also help raise money for the local men’s and women’s transition houses.
Anyone who would like to take part in the walk should arrive between 9:30 and 10 a.m. the morning of the walk; pre-registration isn’t necessary.
The walk begins at Robert Ostler Park on Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m. and follows along the length of the Sea Walk.
Samouelle says there will be no dedicated finish line, rather it’s up to each participant how far they’d like to walk.
“This really is just about showing how strong women really are with everything we go through,” she says.
“We’re doing this for a reason.”