18/09/2026
Today I hiked my favorite local trail, Glanageenty. The trail is historic, as signs en-route denote. But it hit me: every single sign is about a man, written from the male perspective.
Read the signs yourself. The entire history of this land is summarized about men. But there are women here: one sign, commissioned by a family as a dedication to "Annie," who probably hiked here more than I. Stories of heroes being sheltered by "families," and since homosexuality was illegal at that time, I assume they mean heterosexual couples, offspring, and extensions.
There have always been women doing incredible things in these woods, on these trails. They toiled in home and field so the men could conquer and cycle. They hiked, herded, planted, and dug. They sheltered drunks and heroes alike (this path was also used by the intoxicated trudging home from a night on the town). Based on these signs, it's like women never existed in these woods. They did.
Sure, most of the signs commemorate men in sport. Maybe there weren't so many women in sport back then (the 1980s, mind you). Why not? Women clinically and colloquially outrun men in endurance sports. These trails should be their domain. But they're consistently discouraged by a society that cultivates women for housework and child-rearing. A society that considers their sports accomplishments lesser and time-limited. A society that is surprised by, rather than encouraging of, women in nature, dirty, being sporty because f**k the dishes. Did these families put cycles in their daughters hands? No? Then don't be so awed when their brothers win the prize.
Schools bring children here. Signs tell them a fairytale about a knight has no friends and swordfights to protect "fairies." As if that's what all boys should aspire to.
The children post fairy houses to the trees, labelled with their names. Like real life, the names are 50% female.
When these little girls read the trail signs, will they be inspired to hike, bike, and fight for what's right? Maybe a few, who will be labelled as "tomboys." More likely, they won't see any "heroes" to emulate. They will choose other paths instead.
Patriarchy exists, even in the woods.
