Walking the Walk:
In the spring of 2002, Joan Southgate, a 73-year-old retired social worker and passionate activist, set out to walk over 519 miles along the Ohio portion of the Underground Railroad then on up to Canada. She traced the footsteps of those who sought freedom from the bonds of slavery. At the end of each day, she slept in strangers’ homes who, like Underground Railroad Station masters, gave her shelter for the evening. Her mission was clear: to keep the stories of these brave freedom seekers alive, ensuring that their struggles and triumphs would resonate with future generations.
Fast forward to April 2022, when two friends, Jan Thrope and Fran Stewart found themselves inspired by Joan’s legacy. They decided to walk the Ohio Erie Trail from Cincinnati to Cleveland. The path they followed was mapped by the renowned Underground Railroad historian William Siebert.
They felt the weight of the past beneath their feet as they walked. Each step they took was a tribute to the countless individuals who had traversed this very route in search of liberty. Walking the Underground Railroad is not just a journey through history; it inspires us to confront the injustices we see around us, encouraging us to act, to raise our voices, and advocate for those who continue to fight against oppression.
Fran and Jan envisioned making this journey accessible to others by creating a free digital and mobile app. With the support of their friend Leeanne Moses, their vision blossomed into the Ohio Freedom Path App. It is designed for visitors walking or biking along the 326-mile Ohio Erie Trail from Cincinnati to Columbus and on to Cleveland. It also can be heard from the comforts of home.
The App is filled with points of interest across 15 counties, and contains historical narrated speeches, poems, letters and accounts of daring escapes.
The stories about the Underground Railroad shared on the app become a beacon of hope, urging us to walk with purpose and passion in our pursuit of a more just and equitable world.