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The
inspiring
story
of
the
intrepid
67-year-old,
who
became
the
first
woman
to
solo
thru-hike
the
Appalachian
Trail,
has
netted
a
documentary
film
prize
for
BW
theatre
graduate
Bette
Lou
Higgins
'74.
"Trail Magic: The Grandma Gatewood Story" was named the "Best Local Documentary" at the recent Chagrin Documentary Film Festival. Higgins, artistic director at Eden Valley Enterprises and producer on the film, had previously picked up an Emmy nomination for the documentary, which first premiered in 2015.
The 50-minute film chronicles the life of Emma "Grandma" Gatewood, who became the first woman to solo thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 1955. Her story is even more remarkable because she didn't attempt the feat until she turned age 67, after her 11 children were grown, and she had left an abusive 30-year marriage.
Gatewood was reported to have worn out six pairs of shoes on her 146-day walk with a blanket and shower curtain to shield her from the elements. She made the journey a second time two years later.
Higgins' film includes interviews with Gatewood's daughter and great-granddaughter.
Find upcoming screenings of "Trail Magic" on Facebook.
