76-year-old woman walks from Chicago to Montgomery for racial equity

BIRMINGHAM, Ala (WIAT) — A 76-year-old woman is walking across the country for racial equity.

Rachelle Zola is making the 750-mile journey from Chicago to Montgomery, hoping to inspire those who she meets along the way.

Zola says she felt a calling to help Black communities, and as an avid walker, she decided that walking across the country to meet people and spread her message of equality was the best way she could answer the call.

Zola has lived in Chicago for 5 years. She says something called her to move to the city and work in Black communities.

“They were wondering, who is this 71-year-old white woman, who is she?” said Zola.

She says working with and hearing the stories of Black people motivated her to do whatever she could to advocate for racial justice.

“I’m a white person, and I’m supposed to use my body, not just my voice. I’m supposed to use this white body and just express this idea that we can’t wait any longer,” Zola said.

As Zola travels across the country, she is performing a one-woman show called “Late: a Love Story.” Through the show, she has been able to connect with hundreds of people along her trek and have meaningful conversations.

“I am not an actor. I went to Theatre Y in Chicago, and said, ‘I have this idea, would you help me develop a play?’ And they did,” Zola explained.

Zola expects to reach Montgomery by October. She began walking in April. She is living in an RV while walking, normally doing 10-mile increments.

“I’m not waiting, I’m getting to Montgomery. This is just the start for me. I don’t know what that looks like, but I know there’s more,” Zola said.

Zola is performing her one woman show in Birmingham on Aug. 25. Tickets for the show can be reserved here.

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