UNZIPPED! featuring Octavia Parker
In our plight to make all adventures more accessible to women, we meet a lot of amazing women with incredible journeys along the way. Each month, we will interview one of these women who inspire us and hopefully, you will love their stories as much as we do!
Octavia’s Zip Her story is about our inherent strength as women – but we’ll let her tell the tale . . .
What is your passion?
I retired from the San Diego County Sherriff’s Department after 33 years of service. Now I am taking time to enjoy all the things that I didn’t have time to do when I was working like Diamond Art painting, a beautiful and relaxing way to create pictures. Knitting, reading, camping, traveling and most importantly, spending time with my husband.
How did you find Zip Hers and why do you love them?
My husband bought me the gift of Zip Hers last Christmas and it was love at first try on! The fabric is superb – incredibly soft. I have had 7 surgeries on my left knee and 3 on my right so when I sit down in ZipHers there is absolutely no pressure on my knees because these pants stretch and give in all the right directions! I would really wear these pants anywhere! I wanted to wear them to a wedding but I realized it was formal and I had to draw the line somewhere!
Zip Hers also help me live a cleaner life. There’s no need to sit down on dirty airport bathroom toilets anymore! Zip Hers have also been a lifesaver when I tore my achilles tendon. Following surgery, I was able to use my knee scooter and continue to go to the bathroom without any strain by standing over the toilet. These pants made my recovery so much simpler – I wish I could share them with everyone recovering from surgery. They were a game-changer!
What is your superpower?
I succeeded for 33 years in a predominantly male profession because I listened and communicated well.
If you could go to dinner with 3 women, who would they be?
1. Condolezza Rice – She’s a very intelligent, influential, reserved woman. She has a vast array of knowledge from her time as Secretary of State to her current role as a professor at Stanford. I appreciate her strength.
- Amy Coney Barrett – Another woman of integrity that is a strong good listener. Plus, I admire her for adopting 2 African-American children.
- Sandra Day O’Connor – Great communicator with immense intelligence.
All 3 of these women are strong leaders which I admire greatly.
What is your favorite time of the day?
Evenings – my husband and I met later in life and we sit on our back porch getting to know each other better even after 28 years of marriage together. We enjoy nature and our time together with our 2 schipperkes.
What are 3 things you don’t want to live without?
1. My husband
2. A beautiful home
3. Freedom to worship at my church – not receiving holy Communion during COVID as an Anglican was very difficult spiritually.
What are you inspired by?
I simply love being alive and am enjoying retirement with my amazing husband. We are grateful to God every day.
What is the most exciting/adventurous thing you have ever done?
We honeymooned in Australia for 2 weeks. I had a torn meniscus but was determined to hike the Daintree Rainforest. It was simply mind over matter and well worth it.
What are 3 words that describe you?
Strong, confident, and loving.
What one piece of advice would you give your Zip Hers Sisters?
Stay strong and united as women. Look at ways you can help uplift other women. Zip Hers really help bring women up and make the outdoors so much more enjoyable. Get a pair as soon as you can!
