TOLEDO, Ohio —
For Sylvania native Sarah Rotte, moving back to northwest Ohio after college meant trying to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones.
"Even though I grew up here, like so many, if we come back, we don't know everyone that's still here or we're still trying to find our footing," she said.
The COVID-19 pandemic didn't help, and neither did coming out of it.
"Trying to readjust to what the world was, there were a lot of learning curves, and we see them every day, whether in social situations or even at work," Rotte said.
Instead of moving away again to a bigger city where it might be easier to connect with others, Rotte started Toledo Girls Who Walk earlier this year.
The group, which Rotte modeled off similar groups in bigger cities, brings women together for walks to build new friendships.
"Every time I leave a walk, I leave just feeling really strong sisterhood. It's really nice to meet other women and hear their stories and their experiences," said Maggie Fawcett, a member of the group.
Toledo Girls Who Walk spans a wide age range, too.
"It is a community from very, very young toddlers to women who are retired, just wanting to connect with everyone of all ages," said another member, Alana Talkington.
Both Fawcett and Talkington knew Rotte before joining the group. Since then, they've walked away with even more friends.
"I am always walking, knowing at least a couple of people, but I'm leaving knowing so many more," Talkington said.
They've also found a new sense of community that many women in Toledo have been looking for.
"A lot of women have reached out and said 'I'm new to town,' 'I just moved back,'" Rotte said. "And they're just saying, 'I've been looking for this! I've wanted this for so long!'"
Toledo Girls Who Walk is open to women of all ages and abilities. Dogs and children can also attend.
For more information and to join the next walk, visit Toledo Girls Who Walk on Facebook or Instagram.