Sports
“People have some of the richest, most exciting experiences outdoors, and it’s hard for them to leave” - Sally Johnson Sally Johnson is the senior manager of events marketing at REI, and the leader of a very exciting project from REI, Outessa. Outessa is an event that gives women the chance to experience the outdoors, to form relationships and bonds with other women who appreciate and enjoy the outdoors, and to have the experience of understanding themselves better through their time in the outdoors. As Sally explains, a lot of women have had the experience of initially coming to the outdoors through some male figure, whether it is a brother, father, spouse, or someone else. But Outessa is working to give women ownership of the outdoor experience, as themselves, and the opportunity to form true and lasting relationships with other women who share their passion for the outdoors. In a time where commitments pile up, stress builds up, the world seems like a crazier and crazier place, giving women the chance to unwind for a moment, have these experiences, and truly build community among themselves is Outessa’s mission. Bulletpoints A lot of women have a hard time allowing themselves to really enjoy the outdoors. There’s something holding them back There’s a lot of women who want to be in the outdoors more, all we have to do is open up access When women spend time outdoors, it can be incredible time to get to know themselves better A lot of women come to the outdoors through a man, whether father, brother, spouse, etc, and it’s important that they discover and reframe their experience and relationship with the outdoors as themselves Women who appreciate and take advantage of the outdoors form very strong bonds and community with each other REI and Outessa is trying to reframe of the story of the outdoors, with women being a central component There is a strong desire among women in general today to do their own adventures, and Outessa is a response to that desire REI believes that a life outdoors is a life well-lived The moments when we are outdoors can be life-savers, and keep us going in the rest of our lives and whatever is difficult Links Outessa.com REI.com