I Am A Walking Warrior

This week we're spotlighting Mrs. Lowry A. Finley-Jackson. Lowry has been a GirlTrekker since 2015 and walks weekly with fellow GirlTrekkers in Illinois. They call themselves the Walking Warriors and commit to walking a half marathon (13.1 miles) once a month. Lowry's granddaughters tag along too, walking in the footsteps of what has become a solid and supportive sisterhood.

Where are you from, and where are you based?

I was raised and grew up in The Ville of St. Louis, MO, after graduating from the Historic Charles Sumner High School, the first Black High School West of the Mississippi. I'm now based in the St. Louis, Missouri Metro area, which has GirlTrek Sisters from all Illinois areas.

Tell us your story in your own words

I'm the mother of one adult son and the bonus mother to two adult daughters and an adult son. My husband of 14 years and I share 6 grandchildren ranging from 1 year old to 19.

I joined the Army at age 19 and retired after 20 years of honorable service. The Army allowed me to travel the world and taught me to appreciate other cultures. After retiring and returning to St. Louis, I vowed that I would never exercise again or wear a uniform. That all changed when I gained 40 pounds in less than two years and was tipping the scale at over 200 hundred pounds (not the ideal weight for a person at 5ft 5inches). I was diagnosed a borderline diabetic (like with many, family diabetes and heart disease has been our family's generational curse). I was also diagnosed with hypertension.

I had to make some changes if I wanted to be healthy and around for my grandchildren. So, I started walking and eating healthier, and the weight came off. I'm happy to say I am no longer pre-diabetic, and instead of two pills for hypertension, I only take one. And no, I still don't wear a uniform, just a uniform cap occasionally. I'm currently the Chief Operating Officer for The American Legion Department Missouri-Veterans serving Veterans and their Families.

You have such a big family! What are some fun facts about them?

My granddaughter's names are Madison Saria Finley, age 10, and Mackenzie Olive Finley, age seven. One Saturday, Madison, who was seven at the time, asked if she could go trekking with me. I told her no because I did not think she could keep up with the ladies, but that I would take her and her sister Mackenzie, who was 5 years old, trekking the next day to see how they would do. So, on Sunday in March 2018, we did our first GirlTrek trek. We set out to walk for 30 minutes. For Madison, it was a success, and she was hooked on trekking. For Mackenzie, all she wanted to know was how long was 30 minutes. We are still working with her. She's still not sold on the early mornings or the trekking for long distances. Madison did her first 5k on July 21, 2018, and has earned 19 medals.

Madison is kind of shy until she gets to know you, but she loves to walk with her GirlTrek Aunties. (We refer to Ladies as Aunties; got to teach that respect for your elders). I love that she loves walking with us because it gives her a chance to talk and bond with some awesome ladies who love her like she is their own. She's your typical 10-year-old who loves making TikToking videos, being a big sister to her three younger siblings, and loves singing, dancing, and swimming. Madison is also a great cook. She's been cooking since she was 5 years old. Her specialties are fried chicken wings and shrimp foil boil.

Mackenzie is more outgoing and still trying to find her way. She loves watching YouTube videos about crafting. She also likes to sing, dance and swim.

How often do you walk and for how long?

Weather permitting, Madison and I walk every Saturday and Sunday. We walk anywhere from 3 to 8 miles with GirlTrek Sisters we call the Walking Warriors. Our group has committed to walking a Half Marathon (13.1 miles) once a month. Maddie is still building up to walk 13.1 miles before the end of Summer. Her longest walk to date has been 7.66 miles. During Spring Breaks and Summer Vacation, we may get in a few walks on the weekdays when my work schedule permits.

How long have you been a GirlTrekker?

In 2015 I was introduced to GirlTrek and the SuperHero Sisterhood. Still, because of my work schedule, I spent most of my time trekking solo. Although I had been introduced to GirlTrek in 2015, I didn't become aware of the St. Louis Facebook group until 2017. I then became obsessed with trekking with different groups within the Metro St. Louis /Illinois area. There were many Saturdays that I would leave one trek and head to another trek across town. To quote one of my GirlTrek Sister/Friends, "I had found my tribe."

What do you admire most about the movement?

One of the things I love most about GirlTrek is the sisterhood. Like for many, 2020 was a challenging year with the pandemic. But for me, it was a super hard year. I lost my mother to heart disease on March 3, 2020. The last conversation I had with her was when I returned from Brazil. We were going to start walking together. At the time, she was recovering from her third major heart surgery. I never got the chance to walk with or talk to her again. Six weeks after my mother's death, my mother-in-law lost her battle with COVID-19. Three weeks after my mother-in-law's passing, I lost an uncle to a massive heart attack, and four months later, I lost my brother to gun violence.

Most people would have just given in to depression, but my GirlTrek Sister/Friends rallied around my family and me. The acts of kindness and support during what was already a difficult time for everyone meant the world to me.

What do you love most about walking with your granddaughters? What kind of lessons do you learn as you walk?

Walking with my granddaughters is our bonding time. We talk about everything. No subject is off-limits. I have learned that children have some great ideas and suggestions. Just because they are children does not mean they don't have an opinion. I think they have learned that they are loved and cherished by many.

What is your superpower?

My superpower is caring. I like to see people smile.

What's one thing you do for self-care?

I treat myself weekly to a soothing essential oil and Epsom salt bath, complete with candles and a glass of wine.

What is one message you want all Black women to know?

Never apologize for being you. You matter, and your health matters. Health is wealth!