Discover the Finger Lakes and the Brave Women Who Helped Define Them

The Finger Lakes region of New York has a history of brave women — women who helped define it and women who continue to make it an incredible place to live and visit. Women like Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony and Jikonsaseh, cofounder of the Iroquois Confederacy, fought against the odds and paved the way for generations to come.

To this day, the women of the Finger Lakes are continuing to forge their own paths and make the world a better place. With woman-owned business throughout, it’s easy to support them by visiting some of the area’s most notable spots, ranging from quaint bed and breakfasts to beautiful wineries.

Another World Bed and Breakfast in the town of Naples offers five charming rooms to choose from, set amid a landscape of beautiful countryside. An afternoon English tea service is a relaxing option in the Garden Room after a day of hiking, biking, boating, hot-air ballooning or even just exploring the local town, boasting not one but two local breweries.

The Apple Station Winery, just outside the village of Union Springs along the northeast shore of Cayuga Lake, is a must if you are looking to support a woman-owned farm and winery. Complete with a sprawling apple orchard where you can pick your own fruit, you can sample and purchase delicious locally made wine and cider. They are also known for a unique treat they produce: apple cider donuts.

The region is well-known as a great shopping destination with lots of one-of-a-kind shops, boutiques and galleries, and plenty of them are woman-owned. BeeKind in Syracuse sees sisters Jillian Barrett and Jenna Graf sell their 100-percent, soy-made candles. You can also stop by Forged From Ashe Studios, where you can take a quick class to discover your creative side and learn to make beautiful mosaic art.

While in the area, be sure to visit some of the local sites paying homage to the strong women who helped make the Finger Lakes what it is today, like the Ripples of Change statue located in Seneca Falls. Set against a backdrop of beautiful Van Cleef Lake, this four-statue collection pays homage to four of the area’s most famous suffragists: Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Laura Cornelius Kellogg and Martha Coffin Wright.

For an extensive list of historical sites and woman-owned business throughout the Finger Lakes Region, visit BraveWomanFlx, a website created by the Finger Lakes Regional Tourism Council and dedicated to preserving the history and promoting the future of the brave women dedicated to making the world a better place.