WOMEN’S SPIRIT PROJECT
Frank to Schanck Walk The achievements of The Women’s Spirit Project (WSP) over the last year have been exceptional: they highlight the extraordinary and often underestimated the power of women, when they come together with a shared vision and mission. WSP Founder Jodie Belyea said “Onein-four women experience mental health issues, family violence and/or social isolation”. A grassroots volunteerled initiative, WSP provides primary prevention programs for women doing it tough. The WSP project has filled a gap that has grown exponentially during the pandemic, offering greater numbers of women from all walks of life, an opportunity to be inspired, empowered, and supported by other women to transform their lives through fitness, health, and wellbeing activities. The ‘Frank to Schanck’ 70km challenge provides a focused goal for women from all backgrounds to work towards. These women collectively walked 3,500km over the three days—a huge feat. “Fitness, health and wellbeing are crucial to living a balanced, purposeful and passionate life,” said Jodie. As the sun rose over Port Phillip Bay in late April 2021, the first steps were taken by 70 willing participants who embarked on a 3-day hiking challenge in the name of sisterhood and comradery. Fighting through mental, and physical fatigue, and of course, let’s not forget the blisters that reminded them of the distance travelled, as they supported each other to achieve significant milestones and transform their lives. In the lead up to the challenge, they helped each other—physically and mentally—prepare through the building of confidence and essential life skills. They then found themselves needing to actively provide support, and more, during the walk itself. “This [earlier] intuitive feeling [about participating]
These beautiful women would simply not allow me to fail. How honoured was I to witness what can only be described as the purest forms of compassion and kindness toward another, a virtual stranger?” Successful ‘Frank to Schanck’ participant, Julie M said. was confirmed on day two (my birthday) when climbing Arthur’s Seat… the climb was one of the most mentally and physically gruelling things I’ve had to face for a very long time, and there were many times when I was ready to give up the challenge. However, there were a group of women that would not allow this. Through my physical struggle they helped by taking my backpack from me, they patiently counted ‘10-steps-and-stop’ for the better part of the climb, they gave me water at every interval, and they never stopped encouraging me.
How honoured was I to witness what can only be described as the purest forms of compassion and kindness toward another, a virtual stranger?” - Julie M, Frank to Schanck participant. 6 | Pressroom Philanthropy Year in Review 2021
The WSP ‘Tribe’, as they refer to each other, twisted and pivoted on at least three occasions, since March 2020, as they designed and delivered virtual and face-to-face activities. WSP hosted a Celebration on the Saturday evening of the trek, to celebrate the achievements of all involved. Pressroom Philanthropy was delighted to have joined in the evening, sharing in tears of joy, the laughs, and the triumphs with the participants of ‘Frank to Schanck’—but it was not until after the trek was completed that some of the best stories started coming out. So many inspirational stories. Stories of strength, persistence, generosity, satisfaction, kindness, pride, and much more.
