Ladies We Love: Shannon Galpin

August 21st, 2013 • BY Morgan Tilton

Should women be allowed to ride bikes in Afghanistan? Shannon Galpin sure thinks so and this human rights activist is doing what it takes to break new ground for the first Afghan female cycling team.

During her thirteen humanitarian-focused trips to Afghanistan since 2008, Shannon became the first woman to mountain bike on Afghan soil—and the first person to bike across the 140-mile Panjshir Valley. And, after learning about the struggles of the first-ever squad of female Afghan riders, she coordinated a donation of six bikes and more than 350 pounds of cycling gear—jerseys, helmets, seats, shoes, tools—to this national cycling team in April 2013.

But Galpin is no stranger to controversial humanitarian acts. In 2006, she founded Mountain 2 Mountain (M2M), a nonprofit that helps to empower women and girls in conflict regions. As part of her mission, she works abroad to pilot community projects that spark paradigm-shifting conversation through art, education, and sport.

One far-reaching example of Mountain 2 Mountain’s work is “Streets of Afghanistan,” a touring outdoor exhibit of life-sized photography that Galpin helped coordinate in 2011. A book by the same name documenting the photography of this project will be released on October 29, 2013.

Galpin’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In fact, National Geographic recently honored her with a 2013 Humanitarian Adventurer of the Year award.

Here, we catch up with this inspiring mom to learn more about women cycling in Afghanistan, Mountain 2 Mountain, and what else she has in motion:

WM: What’s astonishing about a women’s cycling team in Afghanistan?

Shannon Galpin: These women are the first Afghan women to ride in Afghanistan…it’s a heavy thing that they’re doing. What’s striking is that they’re not doing it to be revolutionary or provocative—they’re doing it because they simply want to ride a bike and because it’s a new sport, but they are creating a revolution by the very nature of this taboo that they’re breaking.

WM: What projects have these female riders inspired for Mountain 2 Mountain?

Galpin: We’re working on a three-project immersion: a documentary short film, Afghan Cycles; a life-size photography exhibit; and a book, which will be a continuation about the team and about how the bike plays a role in the fight for women’s rights and human suffrage.

WM: How did you discover the Afghan National Women’s Cycling Team?

Galpin: Last November when I was in Afghanistan a male friend of mine invited me to join a ride with the Afghan National Men’s Cycling Team—I was totally shocked to find out about a men’s national cycling team. Then, on the ride, I found out that the coach is also coaching a women’s national team.

WM: M2M uses a variety of approaches to catalyze change—how do you see these working together?

Galpin: I think everything comes under the umbrella of voice—using voice to inspire, to highlight the injustices in the world, and to be a proxy for others. The use of art, culture, and sport has been integral to build and inspire communities.

WM: Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the work that you do?

Galpin: All the time. The quote, “leap and the net will appear,” means so much to me. A lot of people are scared to make that leap, whether it’s a financial or a physical risk—in my case, it’s both…and I am a mother, too. What I’ve realized is, the net doesn’t magically appear—it’s that when you leap, you’re going to work like hell to figure out how to weave the net that catches you. The only way to improve is to take that risk and, at the end of the day, it’s a choice that I love.

WM: What’s the most important thing that you’ve learned through your activism?

Galpin: Be humble, never assume that you have the solution, and listen to the communities that you’re working with—they often have the solution.

WM: How can people get involved?

Galpin: We’re selling a limited supply of special-edition cycling kits—men’s and women’s jerseys, shorts, and t-shirts, and women’s jackets. We’ve already had orders come in from Norway, Australia, Canada, Philippines, Germany, and England—it’s really interesting to see where people are reaching out [from]. Getting the jerseys out there shows that our strength is in our numbers, and the money raised helps to support our projects.

Note: Look for the premiere of Afghan Cycles in 2015. Also, stay tuned for Shannon’s personal memoir, hitting shelves in fall 2014. Until then, scope out Shannon’s recent TEDTalk, “Two-Wheeled Revolution,” below about how the bicycle is a tool for social justice.

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