July 29th 2024.
In the United States, there is a troubling trend that has been observed - as obesity rates continue to rise, life expectancy is actually declining. This is especially concerning for African American women, as studies have shown that they are more likely to die at a younger age than women of other ethnicities due to health issues related to their weight. But two determined women, Vanessa Garrison and T. Morgan Dixon, decided to take action and create a nonprofit organization called GirlTrek that aims to help Black women stay healthy and empowered through a simple yet powerful act - walking.
In a recent interview with CNN, Dixon shared that the idea for GirlTrek did not stem from a love of walking, but rather from a sense of urgency and necessity. "It wasn't because we were walking enthusiasts or because we love to walk. When we started, we were just trying to save our own lives," she explained. "We saw the struggles our mothers, aunts, and grandmothers faced with their health, and we didn't want to fall into the same traps. The statistics show that a large percentage of us are overweight, and carrying that extra weight is literally killing us. We knew something had to change."
GirlTrek was founded in 2010, and now in 2024, with the importance of staying active at an all-time high, the organization boasts over 1,370,000 members who have formed their own walking teams across the country. These women commit to walking for just 30 minutes a day, often in the company of other women, to combat issues such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and more.
Dixon and Garrison drew inspiration from the women of the civil rights movement when establishing the core values and even the routes for GirlTrek's walks. They also organize nationwide events that follow historic pathways, such as the "100 miles to Freedom" of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Byway and the "Road to Selma" that retraces the Selma to Montgomery march.
The impact of GirlTrek's work is evident and much needed, especially considering recent research that has revealed that more than half of Black women over the age of 20 have heart disease, and this same age group is at the highest risk for strokes. Additionally, 3 out of 5 Black women are obese. Garrison emphasized to CNN that GirlTrek is not only promoting physical health but also helping to shift a "cultural mindset" that often puts the needs of others before one's own.
She explained, "We were raised in households where our mothers, grandmothers, and aunties always put themselves last. They would sacrifice their own well-being for the sake of their families. And we've adopted that behavior, even romanticized it, as it's the only way we know how to navigate the world. But it's time to break that cycle. We need to prioritize our own health and happiness, even if it's just for 30 minutes a day. And when we do that, our families and communities become stronger."
Garrison also believes that by creating new habits and promoting self-care, GirlTrek is making a positive impact on the Black community as a whole. "That is how you change the entire dynamic of a culture - by instilling habits that are passed down from one generation to the next," she stated.
GirlTrek's benefits extend beyond just physical health, as Dixon has noticed that many of the walking groups formed through the organization have also become support systems for their members. "Women who may feel lonely, depressed, or stressed are able to walk, talk, and slow down with their friends. And that act of slowing down is truly revolutionary," she shared.
The sense of community and empowerment that is fostered through GirlTrek is fueled by the rich history of Black women and their resilience. Garrison explained, "We know that when Black women walk, things change. We are walking in the footsteps of our ancestors, and when we tell their stories, our members see themselves in those names. They see themselves as the next Ella Baker, Fannie Lou Hamer, Septima Clark, or Harriet Tubman. And that inspires them to not only walk but also create change in their communities and within themselves."
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