In 1989, on the 25th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, US Senator Orrin Hatch opposed wilderness designation, arguing that roads were necessary for the "aged and infirm" to have access to these areas.
An adventurous group of older women was offended by such a preposterous claim. As older women, they believed they didn't need roads in the wilderness. They didn’t want to be used as an excuse to destroy public lands. And from this strong belief and passion to protect wild places, Great Old Broads for Wilderness was born.
For nearly 40 years, Great Old Broads for Wilderness have banded together, bolstering their voices to advocate for and protect the wilderness we all love and cherish. As a national grassroots organization, they have built their service upon four foundational pillars: Stewardship, Advocacy, Education, and Fun.
“Everybody cares about wild places in their own way. Some people want to build trails and plant native plants. Some people want to educate, inform, and inspire their communities. Others want to change the policies that underlie all of the public lands; they want to talk to legislators and write letters to decision makers,” said Reba Elliott, the current Executive Director, adding, “All of these gifts are needed, all of these approaches are necessary.”
At the heart of it all is love and fun. “We always have fun,” said Elliott. “We’re laughing, we’re joking, we're being active.” And through this work, they have created a delightful community that thrives on integrity and the pursuit of common goals.
Local chapters known as Broadbands span 18 states and have over 8,500 members. These Broadbands continue to grow with new states and new leadership every day.
Last year, these Broadbands and the organization itself collaborated with 150 partner organizations. Elliott said, “Partnerships are essential! We are so much more together than we are alone”, a sentiment that is carried in all the Broads' work.
It’s important to highlight that older women are the backbone of this organization. “[They] have this lifetime of experience. Some of the women in our network are retired real estate agents, teachers, and doctors, and over the course of their careers and raising families, they gained these incredibly valuable skills. They know how to network, plan projects, and review policies. Older women have this fount of good things to share. Their knowledge and expertise are essential,” said Elliott.
Durango is home to South San Juan Broadband, whose focus is on public education, climate change, awareness-building, and methane-release legislation and monitoring. They’ve conducted service projects in the South San Juan Mountains, participated in community events, and written letters to our legislators and to editors of local publications. Collaborating with local organizations such as The Mountain Studies Institute, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, San Juan Mountains Association, and more.
“Public Lands are a treasure. They're a treasure of spiritual connection. They're a treasure of beauty. They're a treasure that provides clean water, air, and soil for communities all across the country,” said Elliott. To connect with a local Broadband and learn more, visit their website.