Amazing Women In Travel

Happy Women's History Month! All month I'll be bringing you tips for traveling as a woman, historical women in travel, and how you can support more women while you travel. Right now, more than ever, it's important to support women in all facets of business, because we may be seeing fewer women being able to start restaurants, tour companies, and other things we use when we travel.

Sacramento Underground Tour guide

I try my best to use minority-owned businesses wherever I go and especially at home. If you want to be part of helping them succeed, it's important to know about women's contributions past and present. So, here are some amazing women in the travel space:

Lauren Bates - founder of Wild Terrains

If you're a woman who wants to travel with other women and support other women in travel, Wild Terrains specializes in small group tours exclusively for women.

Our great tour guide on the Denver Graffiti Tour

Vincie Ho - founder of RISE Travel Institute

Vincie has founded a non-profit that inspires sustainable and responsible travel through education. She aims to create a community of conscious travelers and travel professionals through online courses, study tours, and travel scholarships.

NomadHer App

Are you a woman traveling solo? Download the NomadHer app, founded by a woman and run by an almost all female team, that can help you travel more safely, learn from other women travelers' experiences, and even find new friends to travel and/or meet up with. Every user is verified by an actual person, so you know that you are dealing with actual women on the app.

Captain Kate McCue

One of few female cruise captains, Captain Kate was the first woman named captain of a "mega" cruise ship. She has spent the last 10 years with Celebrity Cruises and, until her recent passing, brought her hairless cat, Bug, with her on most voyages. You can follow her on her very cool Instagram account, where you see some awesome behind the scenes of the cruise industry.

Denver Art Museum

Stephanie Jones - founder of Cultural Heritage Economic Alliance Inc.

Stephanie is reshaping the travel and tourism industry to better serve underrepresented small Black and brown businesses, creating more equitable, diverse, and inclusive opportunities. Not only does this help independent travel entrepreneurs, but helps to bring tourist dollars to local communities, instead of giant corporations.

Tracey Friley - founder of Tracey Friley Travel

Tracey is lovely travel professional who started her career by taking people to Paris and then continued to bring people there while adding other destinations, and helping Black girls get their first passports and go on their first international trips. Most POC, and especially Black women, have to traverse difficult barriers to obtain a passport, so having someone to help you through the process is very helpful and encourages travel when you already have someone to show you the ropes on your inauguration trip. 

Tell me about some of your favorite women in travel.

Black History Month Wrap-Up

If you aren't on Facebook as much or at all anymore, then you probably missed some or all of my Black History Month travel stories, but don't worry, because I've rounded them all up for you to read at your leisure. While Google is complying in advance to the government wanting to do away with Black History Month, I continue to get 400 emails a day regarding travel, and many of those have great Black travel stories, which I have been saving for this and my own travels.

"The Wonder Gaze" from Ken Gonzales-Day's Erased Lynchings series

Remember, Black history IS important history, especially in America, and educating yourself on that history while you travel is smart. It may rarely be feel-good, but history isn't there to make you comfortable. I hope you will add some important local history and culture to each of your trips, so you understand more about your destinations by the time you go home.

"The White Man's Burden" by Deanna Bowen

February 1

Nature and outdoors is for everyone. Disappointed by the low percentages of people of color visiting U.S. national parks, Diamon Clark and Kristen Walker are creating a sense of ownership through Our Parks Too.

February 2

When you know historical facts most others don't, you go out and teach it yourself! Sampson Levingston leads walking tours in Indianapolis that cover histories even locals are surprised by.

February 3

Most of America's music has roots in Native American and Black culture. Learn the history of music at the National Museum of African American Music in Nashville.

February 4

Black cowboy culture is more than just a moment; it is a reclamation of history as it happened. What you never learned about cowboy culture from all those westerns you used to watch.

February 5

In sports that are historically classist and white, these people are making skiing and snowboarding more inclusive to POC.

February 6

When the duo behind Houston’s Bludorn restaurant took a pilgrimage to Senegal, they brought back a new definition of hospitality—and an appreciation for the flavors of home.

February 7

Get smarter in minutes, when you follow Blair Imani. She gives you bite-size vids about Black history, Black-owned businesses, world events, clothing, makeup, and more!

"Love and Loss in the Milky Way" by Fred Wilson

February 8

Washington DC's iconic carousel has a nice piece of Civil Rights history.

February 9

You can find Black history everywhere, even if you think there isn't any. Even in Paris, you can learn about poets and activists and painters.

February 10

There is still a grave underrepresentation of Black owned breweries, wineries, and spirit makers. Here are some fantastic businesses to support.

February 11

Black Restaurant Week is a celebration aimed at introducing you to the diverse tastes of African American, African, and Caribbean cuisine throughout the country. Whether you’re dining at a restaurant, bakery, café, or food truck, diners can savor budget-friendly menu selections and explore a rich array of international flavors.

February 12

If you want to learn more about how to use your garden plants (or those found in your local woods or park or while you're traveling around new places), follow Alexis Nikole, better known as @BlackForager on FB and IG. She's a lovely Black creator that knows SO MUCH about foraging and using plants to make amazing things.

February 13

Even though Black travelers spend roughly $109 billion annually on domestic leisure travel, making up more than 13 percent of the U.S. travel market, they’re often underrepresented in destination messaging and initiatives. New York is making sure Black travelers have the Empire State on their list of must-visit destinations.

February 14

From the exhibits at The National Constitution Center to the founding of the African Methodist Episcopal or AME church, there’s more African American history to be revealed, digested and remembered in Philadelphia than meets the eye.

"White Noise, American Prayer Rug" by Nicholas Galanin

February 15  

Once a holding cell for kidnapped Africans, the island’s House of Slaves is today a UNESCO World Heritage site—and the site of healing and atonement.  

February 16

Do you need a dose of happy in your day? Follow ColorMeCourtney for colorful outfits, travel, and decor. Find her @Colormecourtney on IG and other socials.

February 17

Celebrate Black History Month all year long with your favorite Black‑owned restaurants redefining vegan cuisine.

February 18

Follow in the footsteps of Black thinkers, traders, and leaders who contributed to the rich history of Hawai‘i.

February 19

From vibrant villages near Cartagena to historic sites in West Africa and the Caribbean, many places worldwide have preserved structures in places that encapsulate the essence of Black heritage and stories.

February 20

If you love Disney, Universal, haunted houses, Harry Potter, and food & hotel reviews, Adriana is your girl. She runs her own YT channel and is also the host of Iconic Eats, where she tries theme park and cruise food and drinks. We love her. She's bubbly and enthusiastic about everything she does. Find her @bibbidibobbidi_broke on YT and all the socials.

February 21

Amtrak Presents Freedom of Movement: The Legacy of Train Travel in Black History (video)

Historical timeline, with what I think is one of the most "interesting" eras

February 22

Motorcycle pioneer Bessie Stringfield made history when traveling alone as a Black woman was unimaginable.

February 23

Unlike Ellis Island, a tourist destination with a must-see museum and database where visitors can track their lineage, there's little in Charleston memorializing the area's relationship to the African American experience.

February 24

Sibongile Sambo, a rejected flight attendant, started her own aviation business, making history as Africa's first all-female jet company.

February 25

It's always worth it to rent a car and take a day trip from New Orleans, especially if you're looking for deep history. This building was the headquarters of a historic Black benevolent society and remains the oldest virtually unaltered jazz hall on earth.

February 26

If you love Disney and fitness, Brittany Noelle meshes the two together. She's bubbly and you'll often find her donning her wizard gear at the parks, as well as showing folx how to do workouts for any level that are tailored to specific characters. Find her @magicalfitbritt on IG. For more just fitness videos, find her on @b_noellefitness.

February 27

Asheville, North Carolina, is now home to one of the few Black heritage trails in Appalachia. This 1-mile trail passes through 3 neighborhoods.

February 28

Tayo Aina's rise from Uber driver to internationally acclaimed African Travel Content Creator and storyteller is inspiring.

I hope you were able to add some new destinations to your travel list and maybe were inspired to look for more ways to include important history in your travels. You don't always have to visit museums to do it.

Do you have a favorite Black history museum, tour, or restaurant? Tell me below!

Does Everyone Hate Me?

It can be hard to be a plane passenger at times, but there are things you can do to make it easier on you and others around you, including the flight crew, because they have to be there and every flight is a mixed bag. They (and probably you) hope that everything goes off without a hitch, so do your part to make everyone's day a little brighter by being a better traveler.

It's not just those people who pick fist fights with other passengers or take their socks and shoes off mid-flight or get too drunk that make flights horrible for those around them. Here are things you can stop doing starting with your next flight:

Ringing the Call Button Because You're Impatient

I have been flying for 40 years. I think I've only used a call button once in that entire time. Unless you desperately need help, just chill. They will bring you a drink. They will come pick up your trash. There are 150 other people on this flight that brought their own bottle of water or snack and can wait 10 minutes for whatever. I also bring along a plastic bag (usually a potty bag from the 50 rolls I have at home for the dog) for my trash, especially when I'm bringing my own snacks, because I don't want to stuff trash in my seatback pocket. Gross. Even if you have loose trash, you won't die if you have to hold onto it for a little bit.

Blocking the Aisle During Food and Drink Service

Yes, there are times you need to use the restroom or stretch a bit, but try hard not to do it when there's a cart in the aisle, because they can't get around you. While we're at it, if there are things you need during your flight, don't put them in your carry-on in the overhead and then open the bin a bunch of times. Nobody wants your butt in their face while you're rummaging around in your bag. 

Keeping Your Headphones On When They're Trying to Talk to You

You know when you're trying to talk someone and they won't even look away from their phone? Don't do that. When the crew is coming around to take drink orders or ask you if you want a snack, take your headphones off for a minute, so you hear them and you appear attentive. 

Getting Mad When There's No Overhead Space

Life isn't always fair and you don't always get to have room in the overhead. It sucks, but it happens. Don't get mad at the flight crew. It's not their fault. Also, it's not their fault if your bag is too big and doesn't fit. You probably knew it wouldn't. This is why I don't bring carry-ons that expand, unless I'm checking it on the way home, because they're easy to overpack. There are bag size restrictions for a reason. 

Taking Up Too Much Overhead Space

If you're lucky enough to get space in the overhead, don't hog it. You don't need to put your carry-on and backpack and coat up there. We all hate not having legroom, but if you don't want to put extra things under your seat, then don't bring them. The overhead is meant for one item per person. You can put other things up there once everyone has boarded and there is spare room.

Acting Like Crew Aren't People

They aren't statues. They're doing a job and ignoring them is rude. Say hello and be polite. Say thank you or goodbye when you deplane. A little kindness goes a long way.

Ignoring Requests Regarding Safety

This is probably not your first flight. You know the plane is descending You know that you need to stow all your electronics. They told you. Don't just ignore that. Also, put your tray table up, fasten your seatbelt, and put your seat in the upright position. Everyone has to do it. You're not special. Imagine having to tell grown-ups at your job the same thing 50 times when you could be doing something useful. Just put your stuff away. Pack a magazine for take-off and landing if you need something to do.

I know this wasn't really a great feel-good post, but know that I post these etiquette tips because sometimes we just need a reminder. We aren't the only people on the flight and the crew isn't there to cater to your every whim. We're all just trying to get to our destination and being kind can be the best thing you do wherever you go, because when you're nice, other people try to be nicer as well. 

What is something that other people do on planes that make you wish they didn't?