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Finding inspiration in advocacy by

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A major component that makes a house a home is the ability to feel safe there. It was something Linda Murphy found to be prominent amongst her clients through her career as a realtor. It’s also a profound piece Linda sees through her advocacy for victims of domestic violence.

That advocacy came from a journey that changed the trajectory of her life at the time.

“We have to do this to help, to be the strength for those victims in the middle of this because they are too traumatized, too upset to have to find their way through this on their own,” explained Linda. “I want to be able to say to them ‘you don’t need to worry about shelter, about food, just go to bed, get rest, because there is support for you’.”

Linda’s advocacy story began when she set out to hike the Pacific Crest Trail at the age of 57, she knew it was going to change her, but could never have accounted for just how profound the impact on her life would be.

The hike, which could more accurately be called an epic quest, did more than create change for Linda personally; it led her to a deeper understanding of the very cause she dedicated her hike to.

“One night about five years ago, I was looking for one random movie to watch,” shared Linda. “I saw the movie banner of a woman with a backpack. I clicked on it, and we watched the movie Wild.”

For those unfamiliar with the movie, which stars Reese Witherspoon, it’s the Hollywood dramatization of the story of Cheryl Strayed’s hike of the Pacific Crest Trail in 1984.

“I could feel all the bells and whistles going off, and I turned to my husband and said ‘I’m going to do that one day’,” she explained. “The next year came and a good friend of mine passed away. I had that ‘life is short’ epiphany, the one so many people have. I was struck with it profoundly and I thought, if I want to do this, I better do it now, because we don’t know what tomorrow will bring.”

Linda took six months off from her job and left in March of 2019. She had decided to do the hike as a charitable event, and as a Royal LePage realtor, was able to connect with them for their charity, the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to funding women’s shelters and violence prevention programs.

The hike raised over $30,000 for women’s shelters in Canada.

Tabitha Wells

While raising so much money was powerful, it was what happened during her time on the Pacific Crest Trail put a new drive for advocacy into her heart.

“I was alone for 45 days before I made a friend,” Linda said. “My mind started abusing me. You go down a deep, dark rabbit hole when you’re in isolation.”

She shared that it’s been described to her how those who are victims of domestic violence feel very isolated, even when they might not be physically alone. In one instance, she knew a woman who ended up in a shelter because the violence carried out by her partner had modeled the way for her children to treat her that way too.

“That’s real isolation,” Linda added. “What I experienced was different, and I wasn’t ejected into it. I felt the impact of isolation accidentally, and I don’t know if I would have gone if I knew how bad it would be.”

She walked away with one glaring realization: we are not meant to be alone.

“We are meant to be together, to help each other, nurture each other, encourage each other,” said Linda.

The changes she experienced on her journey left her both wanting to hike more and help more, and Linda quickly realized she was no longer finding the same fulfillment in her job she once had.

In 2022, Linda took to the wilds again, this time hiking the entire 900km of the Bruce Trail over 45 days to raise money for victims of domestic violence. With access to the internet and ways to engage supporters, she raised over $60,000, and connected with numerous survivors, community members, and shelter organizations.

The more Linda learned about the stories of domestic violence survivors and the shelters, she found herself more grateful for the life she and her daughters have.

“Our daughters have always encouraged me and said I am a role model to them, and that’s all a mother needs to hear,” she said. “Once I realized our girls were looking up to me, I realized now I have a responsibility to continue that role for them.”

Throughout her journey, she had the opportunity to get to know the staff at her local shelter in Collingwood and became more involved, going to shelter events on a regular basis and becoming personally connected.

When asked how this translated to a passion for being an advocate, Linda noted part of it stems from the fact that at any point, it could happen to any of us.

“Even though we have that safe life for ourselves, what if it happens to me or my daughters one day?” she said. “Then I become part of that equation. When we step forward to help others, we are also laying the groundwork to help ourselves.”

Of course, she added, the initial motivation for advocacy doesn’t come from that selfish or self-centred aspect, but it becomes part of the cyclical effect of advocacy work.

“It’s like anything—we help ourselves when we’re kind to strangers because somebody else may see that and it inspires them to be nicer to somebody else during the day. It’s just all part of the “takes a village” principle,” she said. “I just think we’re put here to help each other.”

As for what’s next, Linda is still leading weekly hikes and connecting through her website, thehealthyhiker.ca, but her major projects have been shelved for now due to responsibilities in her personal life. While that aspect of her life is on hold, she continues to be an advocate against domestic violence.

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