Stephanie Wilson was chosen as our first person to profile.

Stephanie lives in Fayetteville and works on the campus of the University of Arkansas, where she was previously a student. And while she has not yet graduated she plans to return to school soon to finish her degree.

Stephanie said she's done a lot of different things in her life to earn a living including: armed security, driving a school bus and editing novels.

“I just like to say I'm a Jane of all trades and master of half,” she said.
She grew up in Central Arkansas with her mother and spent a lot of time with her dad in Memphis and Nashville, Tenn.

Stephanie is very active in the community for various organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and the Red Cross. When it comes to working in the gay and lesbian community Stephanie is very proud of something she started.

“I created a mailing list for lesbians in Arkansas about six years ago that kind of blossomed into a lively social meeting ground for ladies all over the state, she explained.

“Every few months, groups of them get together and go camping, or out to dinner, or to a movie, or something else. I don't own the list any more, but I'm still immensely proud of it.”

The list is still very much active and Stephanie is usually one who contributes newsworthy items to keep the Arkansas Lesbians yahoo group informed.
She also has a dream for the future.

“I would love to start a GLBT community center in Northwest Arkansas,” Stephanie said. “There's a lot of interest in the community, but not a lot of organization of resources to do it. I believe it's something we definitely need.”

There are a couple of reasons we chose to profile Stephanie first on the site. One reason is because she lives in Fayetteville and we want our readers to know that even though we are called Little Rock Pride, the site is intended for all of Arkansas.

The second reason we chose to do this now is because Stephanie is planning a very long hike to raise money for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

“My hike is going to start in April, 2007, and will take around five months to complete,” explained Stephanie. “I will be hiking over 2,600 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail; the trail starts at the Mexican border, and travels through California, Oregon, and Washington before finally ending inside Canada. It goes through six of the seven ecosystems in North America, and I'll see everything from desert heat to torrential rains and mountain snow. I'll walk about 20 miles a day and carry about 40 lbs. of gear on my back, and will switch gear out from time to time on the trail for items more appropriate to the terrain I'm on.

“For instance, just before hitting the High Sierras, I'll have to stop and pick up my ice axe and crampons, which family back home will have mailed to me. I'll also stop every handful of days in small towns on the trail and pick up other mail, buy more food, and perhaps even find a shower and a laundromat.
“Although I don't at this time have a hiking partner, this trail is attempted by a few hundred every year and we will occasionally run into each other and be able to camp together. There are bears, rattlesnakes, and lions on the trail, but they're not a major problem.

“You leave them alone, they leave you alone. Hikers are very rarely attacked by animals. Most trail injuries and deaths are due to hiker accidents.

“I've never done any kind of long-distance hiking. I did do a lot of hiking as a child and teenager, but as I got older and more in the rat race, I got away from outdoor life. I'm getting back into it now that I'm training for this thru-hike. I've got a lot of lost time to make up for. I've been out on a few trails here locally and I'm really enjoying myself,” she said.

Obviously this is a big commitment and Stephanie has set a goal of $10,000 to raise for the Komen Foundation.

“I decided to do this hike after a lot of thought and research. My aunt had recently been re-diagnosed with cancer and was not given a positive prognosis,” Stephanie said. “It was a pretty tough time for us all. I remember feeling helpless, like I was adrift. I remember that one moment when I just decided not to be helpless anymore.

“Although I can't take my aunt's cancer away, I can do something to help the Susan G. Komen Foundation, which has helped her and thousands of women like her. Komen is such a great organization, filled with kind people who all want to find a cure for breast cancer. My aunt is one of the most amazing people I've ever known, so I hope in some little way this is a good homage to her, too.”

If you would like to donate towards Stephanie's goal or find out more about her training for the hike, visit 2007 Hike for Breast Cancer .

And now our Profiles in Pride questions:

Date and place of birth? 1972, Pine Bluff, Arkansas

What is your favorite food? I have so many favorites, it's impossible to pick just one. Tex-Mex is high up there, followed closely by Italian, Asian, and barbeque.

What food will you not eat? Anything you'd see on "Survivor" or "Fear Factor."

What is the best job you've ever had? Building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

What is your dream job? Something that involves a lot of travel, and a lot of time outdoors in the forest.

If you didn't have to work, what would you do with all of your time? I'd write books, travel Europe and Japan, and finish my degree.

Who do you admire most (living or dead)? Martin Luther King, Jr.; Janis Joplin; Abe Lincoln; Greta Garbo; Princess Diana; Tori Amos; Christopher Reeve; and all the women of my family.

Who would you lunch with if you could have anyone (living or dead)? Virginia Woolf.

Who has had the greatest influence on your life? My mom. She was a kid herself when she had me, and raised me as a single mom. She did a great job with me, I've been told.

What one thing would you not have done if you could go back in time? After some thought, I wouldn't undo anything if I could go back in time. The good times come with the bad. If I were to undo a bad time, I'd be giving up all the good times that happened as a result.

What one thing would you have done if you could go back in time? I would have been a better friend to a couple of people.

What is your favorite word? Verisimilitude

Least favorite word? A racial slur - the N word.

Favorite curse word? Dammit!

What turns you on? A great smile and laugh. Smarts and intelligence. Goofiness.

What turns you off? Religious fanaticism. Someone with no desire to elevate themselves. People who spell like they're in 2nd grade just because they're on the Internet.

What word would others use to describe you? Analytical.

What word sums you up? Creative.