Far more than a walking group, GirlTREK is a life-saving sisterhood. We are a campaign to heal intergenerational trauma, fight systemic racism and transform Black lives. As women organize walking teams, they also mobilize community members to support advocacy efforts and lead a Civil Rights-inspired health movement. GirlTREK’s membership is currently at over one million and growing every day.
It started with two friends, T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison in 2010. On November 18, 2020, GirlTREK inspired Shameka Cornelius, its one millionth member, to walk for better health. Today GirlTREK has 1,371,776 members, representing 7% of the total population of African American women.
In addition to unprecedented growth, GirlTREK is influencing millions and shaping a new culture of health. In 2020 alone, GirlTREK stories and campaigns like the #DaughtersOf Conversation Series and Black History Bootcamp: A Walking Podcast earned 271 million impressions, 9 million online engagements and 300+ traditional media stories across 68 countries.
GirlTREK has become one of the most effective public health interventions in the country. In our most recent member survey (2019):
This impact was achieved in just 10 years. As GirlTREK looks to the next 10 years, we seek to sustain and scale behavior change and we will boldly venture into advocating for, and institutionalizing systems change.
Morgan and Vanessa met as college friends. They bonded over 2Pac, Nikki Giovanni and their inability to say no to smothered pork chops. GirlTREK was never an "aha moment" but a shared belief in radical acts of self-care.
We challenged our friends and families to walk with us - we walk to heal our bodies, inspire our daughters and reclaim the streets of our neighborhoods.
Morgan shares her personal testimony:
"Something happened when I started to walk. The pace of the world slowed down. I started to heal. I became more aware of my body, more aware of the world around me. When I walked I felt transported."
Volunteers Catch the Fire! Women Around the Country Organize Walks.
GirlTREK officially became a nonprofit organization and received its first major support from Teach for America.
GirlTREK organizes the largest moving tribute to the baddest freedom fighter the world has ever seen. Why? Because if Harriet could walk to freedom, we can walk for better health.
The Media Starts Paying Attention. It Started with a Great Story by a Journalist from NationSwell.
Wherever there’s injustice you can find GirlTREK on the frontlines. We walk to heal our bodies, inspire our daughters and reclaim the streets of our neighborhood.
GirlTREK Named Top 1% of Social Innovators in the World by Echoing Green joining a global community of changemakers in delivering bold, innovative solutions to the world.
GirlTREK Establishes National Volunteer Corps. Grassroots Organizers Train in Upstate NY. Like 60's Freedom Riders, volunteers took the bus to the training listening to Mavis Staples.
Started from the bottom! Now our mamas finally understand that we have REAL jobs. GirlTREK is honored as health heroes by Essence Magazine.
Imagine their surprise when Morgan and Vanessa got an email from the First Lady inviting them to The White House! From Michelle Obama to the 18th US Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin who serves on the GirlTREK board, GirlTREK is representing at the highest levels.
Grassroots movement attracts national sponsors! Watch Morgan and Vanessa make their national debut in an REI Christmas commercial.
GirlTREK buses 500 Organizers to Selma for the 50th Anniversary Selma to Montgomery Bridge March.
First Lady Michelle Obama officially joins the #GirlTREK revolution.
GirlTREK in The New York Times. "Years ago we said, this health crisis needs to be on the front page of every major newspaper in America."
GirlTREK becomes the largest health nonprofit for Black women and girls.
GirlTREK hits milestone of inspiring 1 million Black women to walk towards their healthiest, most fulfilled life.
