Women on the Camino

[Kathy Gower]

Good question...when I walked in 1999, my introduction was from a winter
pilgrim account of Andrea Kirby.  It migt still be on-line.  As far as
famous personages, what about Margery Kempe and Queen Isabella?


>From: Sue Kenney <sue.kenneyaSYMPATICO.CA>
>Reply-To: Road to Santiago Pilgrimage <GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU>
>To: GOCAMINOaPETE.URI.EDU
>Subject: Women on the Camino
>Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 22:45:21 -0500
>
>Fellow pilgrims,
>
>I was wondering if anyone on the list serv could help me to answer some
>questions....
>
>I have been writing the story of My Camino, living the journey on paper
>as though I am there again. Through the process of writing I have come
>to the realization that there wasn't anyone I knew, personally or
>otherwise, who had walked the Camino. I remember when I was planning my
>journey, I considered that there might be very few 'women on the road
>since it was winter and also most of the historical information I had
>read at the time, referred to the men who walked. Of course in recent
>years many women have journeyed and in fact in when I walked in December
>2001 the Santiago Archdiocese reported 250 males/64% and 90 females/36%
>had completed the Camino that month. More recent reports show the split
>is closer to 60% men and 40% women; according to the accounts that
>Rosina kindly forwards to the list serv.
>
>So, here are my questions;
>Can anyone tell me the history of when women started walking the Camino?
>I read somewhere that the women stayed home to care for the family while
>the men walked, which makes sense but when did that change and why? Are
>there any early recorded stories or known history about women's
>journeys, what they wore, why they walked, what happened to them?
>
>I am now wondering, who are the famous women that walked the Camino
>besides Shirley MacLaine and our own famous list serve members and
>authors?
>
>I appreciate any help or direction that can be provided.
>
>warmest regards,
>
>Sue
>
>Floral Park, Canada
>http://www.suekenney.ca
>http://www.cdbaby.com/suekenney

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