Jenny Bruso is an American hiker, influencer, and an activist for inclusivity and body positivity. She is best known for starting the Instagram account Unlikely Hikers in 2016 in Portland, Oregon. She is an adviser to outdoor fitness companies looking to break into alternative markets.
Jenny Bruso | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Body positivity activist, influencer |
| Years active | 2016-present |
| Known for | Unlikely Hikers Instagram |
| Website | jennybruso |
Career
editBruso went on her first outdoor hike in 2012.[1] Describing herself as "never an outdoorsy kid", she states that she became 'obsessed' after her first hikes in the Columbia River Gorge.[2] Bruso observed that most people she encountered while hiking did not look like her.[3] Bruso describes herself as "femme, queer, and fat", and she became aware of how she was perceived by others hikers and the outdoor recreation industry in general.[1]
Almost immediately, I found people filling in those gaps—like Latino Outdoors and Outdoor Afro. But because I wasn’t seeing much about queer and fat hikers, I felt like I really needed to do something.
In 2016, Bruso created the Unlikely Hikers Instagram account to highlight "the outdoor experiences of Black, Indigenous and people of color and those in LGBTQ communities."[5] Bruso credits her Instagram in helping her to connect with a more representative outdoor community.[6][7] In addition to focusing on diversity, Unlikely Hikers focuses on environmental issues as well as outdoor retail.[8]
In 2018, Unlikely Hikers joined with 23 other groups to form Diversify Outdoors, a coalition dedicated to promoting diversity in the outdoors.[8] Other founding members include Ambreen Tariq who founded @BrownPeopleCamping, an Instagram account with a similar focus on outdoor recreational activity.[4]
Based on the popularity of Bruso's Instagram feed, Unlikely Hikers was recruited by REI to be a brand ambassador. REI's director of marketing commented that REI "understand[s] that to be relevant in the world, we need to recruit younger, more multi-cultural audiences".[3] Bruso has also partnered with backpack retailers to expand their plus-size offerings, and in 2021, Gregory Packs unveiled a new line of backpacks made to fit multiple body shapes and sizes.[2][9] Unlikely Hikers has also collaborated with other outdoor retailers including Merrell.[10]
As of 2022, Bruso is a full-time adviser to companies looking to break into alternative markets.[5] Bruso continues to lead hiking groups, teaching people across a range of experience levels, ranging from beginners to advanced.[4]
Awards and honors
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b "Meet the Women Making the Outdoors More Accessible to All". Condé Nast Traveler. August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Inglis, Becky (January 18, 2024). "This woman is on a mission to change who we think of when we hear the word 'hiker': '[We] aren't about that storyline'". TheCoolDown.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Kruegar, Alyson (May 22, 2019). "'Unlikely' Hikers Hit the Trail". The New York Times. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Prado, Emilly (April 11, 2018). "The Unlikely Hiker: Jenny Bruso is Making Space for Those Who Feel Shut Out of the Outdoors". Portland Mercury. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Jag, Julie (October 11, 2022). "'I'm just trying to exist': Unlikely Hikers trying to change status quo on trails". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Robinson, Jill K. (February 8, 2018). "One Instagrammer's Quest for a More Inclusive Outdoor Community: "Unlikely Hikers" busts up notions of who belongs in the wilderness". Sierra Club. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Bell, Eboné (March 24, 2017). "Unlikely Hikers: An Invitation to the Outdoors". Tagg Magazine. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Hu, Jane C. (May 14, 2018). "'Unlikely hikers' gain traction". High Country News. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ LeClair, Catherine (July 22, 2020). "The hiking and travel world is finally getting its first plus-size backpack, as the industry catches up with the diversity of people who love the outdoors". Business Insider. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ Constantine, Brandon (March 15, 2023). "Unlikely Hikers Founder Jenny Bruso Designed a Merrell Moab 3 That's Making the Outdoors More Inclusive for All". Complex. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ "Grist 50! 2019". Grist. 2019. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
- ^ MacDonald, Care (June 19, 2019). "Outdoor Retailer honors the outdoor community's most inspiring individuals". KSL.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.