5 & 6. Walking for Change
GirlTrek co-founders Tanya Morgan Dixon, left, and Vanessa Garrison are trying to put the “move” back in movement one step at a time. (GirlTrek)
Walk like Harriet Tubman. Speak up like journalist Ida B. Wells. Organize like voting rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. That’s the ultimate message that Tanya Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison are sharing through GirlTrek, their national movement to encourage people to get to steppin’ a little or a lot. They’re shooting for a million walkers by 2018. In March, 15,000 black women and girls participated in the Tubman tribute walk as solo trekkers or in groups; they’ll do it again on March 10. GirlTrek also sponsors a 30-Day Jumpstart Walking Challenge, a National Church Challenge and 40-Day Gratitude Walk, and a Summer Trek Series in parks. And all of this started with a simple conversation about health.
GirlTrek (n.) 1. a personal journey toward health and fulfillment. 2. a national health movement of active black women and girls 3. a nonprofit health organization.
