Meet Vanessa!
Co-Founder
Vanessa Garrison's resilience, and ability to "make a way out of no way", prepared her to found a grassroots health movement encouraging everyday woman to stand up for change. Born in Seattle, WA to a teenage mother, Vanessa was raised by her grandmother and aunt. She has come to exemplify the true meaning of the proverb "it takes a village to raise a child". In addition to starting GirlTrek, Vanessa has worked for seven years in a variety of roles within Turner Broadcasting System Inc, working on projects for some of the world's most successful and recognizable news and entertainment brands, including CNN, TNT and Cartoon Network. Currently she is a key member of the newly formed Business Excellence group, helping to drive new process ideas at the project, program and divisional levels. Vanessa earned a Bachelor of Arts in World Arts and Culture from the University of California , Los Angeles . She lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Marty and enjoys traveling the world, baking cupcakes and dancing in front of the mirror.
Fun Fact: At the age of 16, Vanessa competed in the Hal Jackson's Talented Teens International Scholarship Program. She was crowned Miss Washington and competed in the international competition at the historic Lincoln Theater in Washington DC .
Meet Morgan!
T. Morgan Dixon, M.ED
Co-Founder
Morgan has inspired diverse audiences around the world to rally behind education reform. Prior to her work with GirlTrek, Morgan was the executive director of REACH Prep, a nonprofit organization that provides African-American and Latino children access to a consortium of 23 top independent schools. In addition, Morgan directed the development and opening of six new public schools in NYC for St. Hope and the Urban Assembly – two organizations funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Morgan worked at the United Nations in the Office of Children and Armed Conflict where she researched and reported on schools and reintegration programs in conflict regions. She served on delegations to both Guatemala and Cuba, advocating for basic human rights for children. Morgan trained and was certified as an outdoor educator by the National Outdoor Leadership School. (NOLS)
Morgan began her career as a high school history teacher and later as a school administrator in Newark, NJ. She transformed the school's character education, arts education, service learning and athletics program. In addition to her role with GirlTrek, Morgan is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Achievement First. Morgan attended the University of Southern California, Howard University and Seton Hall University and has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and African American Studies and a Master of Education Policy and Leadership.
Fun Fact: Before joining Teach for America, a teaching corps that serves inner-city and rural public schools, Morgan was a park ranger with the National Park Service. In the official ranger uniform and hat, she gave tours of the Martin Luther King National Historic Site in Atlanta, GA.
CONTACT US!
If you would like your site listed on the GirlTrek website, please contact us. We are happy to publicize organizations that have a shared mission to improve the physical and mental health of girls and women in our communities.
GirlTrek Inc.
3933 Park Avenue
Fairfield, CT 06825
Phone: (203) 940-3659
Fax: (866) 702-8187
Community Partnerships & Helpful Links!
- For Women -
OurHealth: An evolution of GirlTrek, founders T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison created an "online community" that provides health information and resources, and serves as a forum for black women who are health conscious.
Balance Fitness Studio for Women: Owner Mubarakah Ibrahim, who consults our role models in attaining their health goals and who was recently featured on the Oprah WInfrey Show owns this studio in New Haven, Connecticut. She offers personal training, fitness classes and health education.
Naturally Nurturing Beauty: created by Active Role Model Sheya Chisenga, this company creates natural products that heal, sooth, and regenerate the body.
Top Sista Sites: is a clearing house of terrific resources and programs for women of color - blogs, organizations, products, etc. GirlTrek is listed on this site. Vote for us so that more women can join our movement.
- For Girls -
GirlsHealth.gov: This website was created to help girls (ages 10-16) learn about health, growing up, and issues they may face.
Afro Puffs and Ponytails: A centralized E-world for inspiring and recognizing African American girls, promoting women and their achievements, business success, and accomplishments.
Girl Evolution: A web community that promotes positive self-esteem in tween & teen girls through great articals, blogs, poems and profile stories.
