A national grassroots organization, led by women, that engages and inspires activism to preserve and protect wilderness and wild lands.

Started in 1989 on the 25th anniversary of the Wilderness Act by a feisty bunch of lady hikers who wanted to refute Utah Senator Orrin Hatch’s notion that wilderness is inaccessible to elders. About that time, wilderness designation had been proposed for Escalante, and Senator Hatch opposed it, saying, “if for no other reason, we need roads for the aged and infirm.”

Conceived by older women who love wilderness, Broads gives voice to the millions of Americans who want to protect their public lands as Wilderness for this and future generations.

There are 40 chapters (Broadbands) with 70 women leaders, 8,000 members in 16 states.

The funding we have provided will be used to educate leaders on a grassroots organizing approach to the training and use of storytelling, relational meetings, event planning, leadership development, and issue identification to promote strong women’s voices and effective action.

Great Old Broads for Wilderness provides a place to celebrate women’s leadership, their collective voice, and love for wild public lands while honing in on the skills and tools needed to be effective advocates for its protection.