WE ARE INSPIRED! We know that Black women face a health crisis. We know that we are dying faster and at higher rates than any other group of women in American from preventable diseases like heart disease, stroke and diabetes. These diseases are obesity-related and 4 out of 5 of us are over a healthy weight. That's real talk. We also know that we need more than talk. This year, 15,000 Black women and girls walked with GirlTrek. This obesity crisis ain't nothing compared to the road we've traveled. Things change when women walk. Things changed when Harriet Tubman walked. Things changed when boycotters in Montgomery walked. When we walk, things WILL change. We are inspired! What would happen if a million of us trekked? Let's put the "move" back in movement. Spread the word.
1849: Harriet Tubman walked.
Tubman and her brothers, Ben and Henry, escaped from slavery on September 17, 1849. "When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven."
Women walked in Montgomery.
1955: To boycott segregated buses, the Women's Political Council, led by Jo Ann Robinson, printed and circulated a flyer which read:"Another woman has been arrested and thrown in jail because she refused to get up out of her seat on the bus for a white person to sit down... This has to be stopped. Don't ride the buses to work, to town, to school, or anywhere...If you work, take a cab, or walk.
1960: Ruby walked with courage.
1960: Six year old Ruby Bridges was the first to desegregate a public school in the American South. Her father initially was reluctant, but her mother felt strongly that the move was needed not only to give her own daughter a better education, but to "take this step forward ... for all African-American children." She walked for equality.
We walked in Selma.
1965: The Selma to Montgomery marches were three marches in 1965 that marked the height of the Civil Rights Movement! To secure voting rights for all, on March 7, 1965 — "Bloody Sunday", 600 marchers were attacked by state and local police with billy clubs and tear gas. They walked for justice.
GirlTrek organizes walks for health!
Today, thousands of Black women and girls across the country have already committed to walking with GirlTrek. Join us! Sign up in our Locker Room at: lockerroom.girltrek.org
Two friends walked.
In 2010, two friends, Vanessa and Morgan started to walk. They were tired of hearing about the health crisis. "We needed to heal ourselves, so we started walking. Our families joined us. Friends joined us. Their friends joined us. Neighborhoods joined. Today, over 100,000 women and girls are with us! Every day 100s more sign up."
Local teams walk together!
Women like you start walking teams - some meet every morning, others meet once per week - some form virtual teams, encouraging friends and family across the country to log their walks in the virtual Locker Room (Visit lockerrom.girltrek.org)
Many women walk alone.
Walking is free, easy and most people can do it! Most women walk as "solo trekkers", which means they follow our movement online, but commit to walking 5 days per week, 30 minutes per day.
We serve as healthy role models!
When we walk, our girls watch! We teach them to make time for their health. James Baldwin said "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they've never failed to imitate them."
We walk for health and healing.
We work hard to earn a "GirlTrek Glow"! Our "finish line" is total wellness - for ourselves, our families and communities. SOme wome choose to celebrate the end of a season by participating in a local charity walk. They always represent in "Super-Hero Blue", the official GirlTrek team shirt! You can get yours at girltrek.storenvy.com!
Some Raise Money for the Cause!
Founder Vanessa Garrison rode her bicycle from Washington, DC to New York City to raise awareness and funds for the GirlTrek movement! Whether you are fundraising through a healthy bake sale or participating in a charity race, you can donate your proceeds to our nonprofit movement. For information on organizing a fundraiser, contact us at volunteer@girltrek.org
The First Step
There are many opportunities to give back to this movement, but the first step is to commit to walking. These women in Washington, DC have been a part of the GirlTrek movement for several years now. They register for each challenge and commit to walking. Register for our next walking challenge in the Locker Room at lockerroom.girltrek.org
Welcome!!!
Tubman and her brothers, Ben and Henry, escaped from slavery on September 17, 1849. "When I found I had crossed that line, I looked at my hands to see if I was the same person. There was such a glory over everything; the sun came like gold through the trees, and over the fields, and I felt like I was in Heaven."
1955: To boycott segregated buses, the Women's Political Council, led by Jo Ann Robinson, printed and circulated a flyer which read:"Another woman has been arrested and thrown in jail because she refused to get up out of her seat on the bus for a white person to sit down... This has to be stopped. Don't ride the buses to work, to town, to school, or anywhere...If you work, take a cab, or walk.
1960: Six year old Ruby Bridges was the first to desegregate a public school in the American South. Her father initially was reluctant, but her mother felt strongly that the move was needed not only to give her own daughter a better education, but to "take this step forward ... for all African-American children." She walked for equality.
1965: The Selma to Montgomery marches were three marches in 1965 that marked the height of the Civil Rights Movement! To secure voting rights for all, on March 7, 1965 — "Bloody Sunday", 600 marchers were attacked by state and local police with billy clubs and tear gas. They walked for justice.
Today, thousands of Black women and girls across the country have already committed to walking with GirlTrek. Join us! Sign up in our Locker Room at: lockerroom.girltrek.org
In 2010, two friends, Vanessa and Morgan started to walk. They were tired of hearing about the health crisis. "We needed to heal ourselves, so we started walking. Our families joined us. Friends joined us. Their friends joined us. Neighborhoods joined. Today, over 100,000 women and girls are with us! Every day 100s more sign up."
Women like you start walking teams - some meet every morning, others meet once per week - some form virtual teams, encouraging friends and family across the country to log their walks in the virtual Locker Room (Visit lockerrom.girltrek.org)
Walking is free, easy and most people can do it! Most women walk as "solo trekkers", which means they follow our movement online, but commit to walking 5 days per week, 30 minutes per day.
When we walk, our girls watch! We teach them to make time for their health. James Baldwin said "Children have never been very good at listening to their elders, but they've never failed to imitate them."
We work hard to earn a "GirlTrek Glow"! Our "finish line" is total wellness - for ourselves, our families and communities. SOme wome choose to celebrate the end of a season by participating in a local charity walk. They always represent in "Super-Hero Blue", the official GirlTrek team shirt! You can get yours at girltrek.storenvy.com!
Founder Vanessa Garrison rode her bicycle from Washington, DC to New York City to raise awareness and funds for the GirlTrek movement! Whether you are fundraising through a healthy bake sale or participating in a charity race, you can donate your proceeds to our nonprofit movement. For information on organizing a fundraiser, contact us at volunteer@girltrek.org
There are many opportunities to give back to this movement, but the first step is to commit to walking. These women in Washington, DC have been a part of the GirlTrek movement for several years now. They register for each challenge and commit to walking. Register for our next walking challenge in the Locker Room at lockerroom.girltrek.org Welcome!!!