GirlTREK Field Guide 2025

THE FIELD Guide

Step-by-step guiDE for GirlTREK members

ROLL CALL WHO ARE YOU? Welcome to the GirlTREK movement!

Please introduce yourself and put your name in your field guide using our “DAUGHTERS OF” tradition.

You are the daughter of the women who walked before you. This is an invitation for you to honor them with your steps by calling their names here.

I am _________________________ Daughter of _________________________ NAME YOUR MOTHER OR FAVORITE WOMAN IN HISTORY

Daughter of _________________________ NAME YOUR GRANDMOTHER OR FAVORITE WOMAN IN HISTORY

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Black women, you are e welcom here.

It started with two friends.

NOW, WE ARE A MILLION.

MORGAN

VANESSA

Welcome to the frontlines of the GirlTREK movement! This year, we walk in solidarity with you, toward the highest vision of your healthiest life. This field guide is here to support you on that journey. It’s also a blueprint to grow our work into a global movement focused on total healing, joy, and justice. I have nothing but faith that our collective light will lead the world, and our service will save lives.

- Morgan Dixon, Co-Founder

From Harriet Tubman to the women of the Montgomery Bus Boycotts, to the drill teams in the parades of my childhood in Seattle, I am deeply inspired by the transformation that occurs when Black women walk together. We invite you to join this loving community of one million Black women. You are welcome here.

- Vanessa Renae, Co-Founder

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“Never Ask Permission to save your own life.”

-GirlTREK

vision for My life O

Path to the HEAlthiest & happiest Me THIS SEASON

At GirlTREK, we have a practice called a “Manifestation Mile.” It is a reflection and visioning activity that you can do at any time. It includes four parts. If you are walking around a high school track, ask a different question on each lap: Where have you come from? You have come so far from where you started. We are grateful! Testify. Tell us what you have overcome.

I have already walked away from... ____________________________________________________________________________ Where are you going? What do you truly desire? What is your boldest vision for your healthiest, happiest life? Make it plain - a few words.

I am walking towards... ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________ What are you releasing? What are you deciding to let go of today? Be specific. What is no longer serving you? One thing or one thought. Let it go.

On my walk, I am releasing... ____________________________________________________________________________

What do you need to succeed? Say it out loud. Asking for help can be hard.

What resources do you welcome into your life, right now? What does help look & feel like? Who are you attracting into your life?

On my walk, I am manifesting… _____________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________

Commitment Circle: In a safe circle of sisters, on the trail or at a house party, share your answers.

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THE CRISIS Last year, Black women died a decade younger than other women in America.

For the first time in history, our daughters are projected to live shorter lives than ours.

This is an injustice.

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THE CAVALRY IS HERE GirlTREK has people power. We are 1.3 million members, which constitutes 7% of the total population of 17 million Black women in America.

GirlTREK started with a simple mission: to inspire a critical mass of Black women to start walking.

Using tactics from the Civil Rights Movement, GirlTREK’s mission grew into a movement.

Today, there is a GirlTREK member in every 14th house in our neighborhoods.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for.

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WHO ARE WE?

We are a million Black women who walk for joy and justice.

WHY DO WE WALK?

We walk to heal our bodies, inspire our daughters and reclaim the streets of our neighborhoods.

WHAT DO WE WANT?

We want to live healthy and happy lives.

GirlTrek’s Mission?

Our mission is to increase the life expectancy of Black women by 10 years in 10 years.

(This is the truest measure of justice.)

Our Strategy We have a “3M” strategy and it’s mmm good!

More than a walking organization, we are: a mass MOVEMENT to heal our bodies and minds a MEDIA powerhouse to inspire our daughters to join a MOBILIZATION network to change the systems that make us sick.

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Navigating this Field Guide 03 Roll Call: Who are you the daughter of 05 Welcome: Meet our co-founders 07 Vision-Setting: Define your healthiest life 08-09 Problem & Solution: The crisis and cavalry 11 Who We Are: Who we are 13 Table of Contents: This right che’re 15 Core Values: We practice R.A.D.I.C.A.L welcome 17 2025 Program: Message from national team 19 Success Road Map: For active members 21 Self Care School: Intro to spring training 23 Sister’s Keeper Pledge: How we serve year-around 25 Summer of Solidarity: Campaign for Joy & Justice 27 Advocacy Agenda: Strategy for systems change 29 The 10-Point Plan: GirlTREK’s advocacy agenda 31 Report Card: GirlTREK’s impact to date 33 Southern Strategy: How we organize 34 Care Crusade & Villages: National community service 36 Change Theory: Why walking works 38 Workbook: Tools to organize 39-45 Walk Counter: Stay on track with Self Care School 46-47 Harriet House Parties: How to organize & celebrate 48 Rendezvous Points: We’re outside!

49-60 Organizing Tools: Trek code, FAQs, etc.

61 Closing Prayer: Faith of our foremothers

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OUR CORE VALUES “Radical Welcome” is the the bedrock of our belief system.

Angela Davis taught us that radical means “grasping things at the root.” GirlTREK’s core values get to the root of the crisis and disrupt habits and systems that no longer serve us.

Radical also means “bold, revolutionary vision.” This journey together requires a forward-leaning set of beliefs about who we want to be. From neighborhood blocks to national boardrooms, we all practice the following R.A.D.I.C.A.L. values:

Resilience AUdacity DISCIPLINE INTEGRITY CURIOSITY ADVOCACY lOVE

We source hope in hard times.

We envision and enact the boldest ideas.

We plan for and commit to daily action.

We walk our talk - and have the data to prove it.

We ask questions and listen to learn.

We speak truth to power and stand up for our people.

We love our neighbors as ourselves.

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Message from the National Team: The 2025 Program Dear Sister, You are one-in-a-million members reading this! That means we succeeded at our first mission. We have a bold and urgent new mission: to extend the life expectancy of Black women by 10 years over the next 10 years.

We didn’t come by this new mission overnight. No. We took years. We listened. We heard you describe the problem. We created a framework called “Three Deadly I’s” so that the world could understand: Isolation: The Black family has BEEN under attack. We are alone.

Inactivity: Our health is a labor issue. We are exhausted!

Injustice: The system has made us sick! We have demands!

This is our 10-in-10 Plan—our commitment to reclaiming health, joy, and justice through movement, community, and collective action. And to make it real, we need to start training for the decade ahead. The training plan is easy to remember. Think “The Power of 10.” This plan is a right-sized and radical solution to the scale of the problem. It is outlined on the following pages and includes: Sister’s Keeper Pledge a promise to invite 10 friends to walk this year - that’s 1 per month.

Self-Care School a 10-week commitment to train your body and mind THIS SPRING. Summer of Solidarity a plan to march for joy and justice 10 Saturdays THIS SUMMER. This is direct action against isolation, inactivity and injustice. We will celebrate our victory each fall with a “Care Crusade” to bring our joy and justice, and our newfound energy, to the streets of our communities.

We are excited to walk with you this year.

With love and determination, GirlTREK National Team: Morgan, Vanessa, Cynthia, Carla, Pam, Marcie, Keturah, MD, Hailey, Siobhan, Ayanna, Chyna, Yolanda, Zahria, Renate, Ebony, Summer, Kallima, Brittany, Joanna, Chasiti, Nyra, Stephanie, Tara, Angie and Tyreen

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SucceSS: A ROAD MAp

TESTIFY Spread the good news!

Invite others to get on the road with us with “Step 1: Join."

SERVE

TO ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP

Do community service; Volunteer each fall for The Care Crusade.

LEARN

Train in life-saving skills to deliver direct care to neighbors.

SEASON CALENDAR MAR: Sister’s Keep Pledge Starts APR: Spring Training Starts: Self-Care School MAY: Self-Care School continues JUN: Self-Care School graduation at Juneteenth events JUL: Summer of Solidarity (S.O.S.) walks begin on Saturdays AUG: S.O.S. continues live each Saturday SEP: S.O.S. ends; Volunteer Training at GTHQ OCT: Fall Challenges: GratitudeTrek, 9-Day PrayerTrek, BF5K NOV: National Care Crusade & EOY Wellness Revival

ENGAGE March virtually for Joy & Justice over the summer in solidarity with other movements.

INVITE Be a sister’s keeper and invite a friend for a walk.

MOVE

Walk or exercise 30 minutes per day.

Complete a 5-day self-care streak each week.

JOIN

Decide to be a member and sign up at GIRLTREK.ORG

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“YOU ARE ON THE EVE OF COMPLETE VICTORY.” -Josephine Baker

SELF-CARE SCHOOL a 10-week commitment to train your body and mind Self-Care School is an immersive, 10-week training program that blends movement, history, and radical self-care to teach Black women how to heal themselves and organize their communities.

This is not self-help. This is a training ground. The Civil Rights Movement had Freedom Schools—we have Self-Care School.

This is about preparing Black women for the moment we are in.

Members around the world will lace up their sneakers, grab their earbuds, press play on the podcast, and walk 30 minutes per day. That’s 15 minutes out - in any direction - and 15 minutes back! Research tells us that a 30-minute walk, just five times per week, will add 7 years to our lives - if it becomes a habit. That’s exciting. So let’s make it a habit.

Success is walking 5 days per week, for 10 weeks. ...but we will celebrate you every week with a high five and an achievement badge. We have a workbook on Page 38 to track your walks and a website (myselfcareschool.com) that allows you to claim your victories and graduate.

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WE ARE EACH OTHER'S HARVEST: WE ARE EACH OTHER'S BUSINESS: WE ARE EACH OTHER'S MAGNITUDE

AND BOND.

- GWENDOLYN BROOKS

SISTER’S KEEPER PLEDGE a promise to invite a friend to take a walk with you regularly We believe in the power of sisterhood! Each week, we encourage you to invite a sister, friend, coworker, neighbor, or soror to take a walk.

Whether it’s a stroll after work or a Saturday morning catch-up, this simple act strengthens bonds and fights isolation. This is an evergreen promise.

Success is getting 10 friends to say “Yes” by the end of the year.

Invite a sister to walk weekly or once per month - both help you reach the goal! When you fulfill your promise, please tell us at girltrek.org and we’ll send you a commemorative Sister’s Keeper bracelet, while supplies last.

Track progress on this Sister’s Keeper Promise on Page 58!

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YOU DON'T MAKE PROGRESS BY STANDING ON THE SIDELINES -Shirley Chisholm

Summer of Solidarity a pledge to walk for joy & justice Summer of Solidarity is a 10-week, global call to action where GirlTREK is hitting the streets with 10 mass actions—10 bold opportunities to show up, show out, and stand in radical, revolutionary solidarity... where joy is the agenda and justice is our demand. .... part walk-a-thon, part protest, part parade, Summer of Solidarity is a global takeover where every mile you walk raises dollars to invest directly in the solutions our communities deserve.

Spread the word!

Success is walking in 10 virtual solidarity marches this summer.

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ADVOCACY AGENDA A 10-POINT PLAN FOR JOY & JUSTICE Background: We have NEVER asked permission to save our own lives because we’ve never trusted the system.

The system killed Fannie Lou Hamer.

And yet, we remain steadfast. Our hope lies in our own power. The research says that the health benefits of walking alone adds 7 years of life - and if we walk together, social cohesion adds another 3 years. Bet. We are not naive. We know that we increase the quality of our lives dramatically when we build coalitions to put pressure on the systems that make us sick in the first place. We desire healthy food, fair pay, and safe communities.

The Preamble to Our New Advocacy Agenda: GirlTREK is a radical, member-led organization that believes in a visionary and futurist approach to transformational social change. We know that nobody is coming to save us, and that we have the tools to create the world we want.

We see a world where Black women are healthy, live longer lives, and hold tangible economic and political power across the globe.

We also know that we can’t do this alone: we love and walk in solidarity with Black men, and we support the leadership and collective liberation of all Black people.

Our 10-Point Plan for Joy & Justice is our road map for mobilization in our communities over the next ten years.

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10 JOY & JUSTICE DEMANDS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

We Want Healthy Bodies. We want immediate access to affordable and highquality healthcare for all, including preventive care, comprehensive reproductive care, traditional medicine, access to resources for substance abuse recovery, and treatment that respects self-determination.

We Want Healthy Minds. We want relief from the deadly impact of stress and the population-level trauma of forced labor, terror and poverty. We want access to mental health resources and culturally-appropriate therapeutic care.

We Want Healthy Families. We demand truthful and accurate history and research to demonstrate the impact of slavery, forced separation, colonization and mass incarceration on Black families. To address the pressure of that past, we want jobs, affordable childcare, addiction treatment, the end to cash bail, and paid kinship care to disrupt the foster system. We want our family members to come home. When they get there, we will preserve cultural traditions that center joy.

We Want Healthy Food. We support community-led, organic, regenerative food systems and the laborers who power them. We want food sovereignty.

We Want Economic Freedom. We will engage in collective bargaining for mutual aid. We demand fair pay, and an end to exploitative labor practices and predatory lending. We seek deep investments in community-owned solutions to the health crisis.

We Want Land & Housing. We demand high quality and affordable housing and walkable neighborhoods. We want to own land for our children, protect historic landmarks that bring meaning to our communities, and to end corporate pollution of Mother Earth.

We Want Power. We want free speech, universal voting access and the immediate end to voter suppression. We will fight to uphold the civil rights protections secured by our foremothers, and we will fight for new rights under new suns.

We Want Safety & Decarceration. We want an end to violence in our communities, the leading cause of death for our daughters. We demand an end to surveillance, over-policing, the proliferation of guns and drugs, mass incarceration, and private prisons. We want investments in restorative justice and rehabilitation.

9.

We Want Care for our Caregivers. We demand care from the womb to the tomb. This means reproductive justice, an end to inequitable treatment of our members during pregnancy and childbirth by healthcare institutions, progressive paid leave, accessibility in public spaces for people with disabilities, and dignified care, support and housing for our elders.

10.

We Want the Next Generation to Lead. We believe in the power and potential of the next generation to create a more just, more healthy world. We demand access to quality education and jobs for our young people, including a minimization of student loan debt.

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OUR REPORT CARD: THE FIRST 10 YEARS Reaching our goal of one million Black women walking two years ahead of projections, GirlTREK now has 1.3 million members and counting. This represents 7% of all Black women in the US, and includes a growing cohort of walkers in countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Central America.

GirlTREK has become one of the most effective public health interventions for Black women. Members report walking 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week — a life-saving threshold. 2 out of 3 members have seen improvement in symptoms from pre-existing conditions. 90% experienced fewer symptoms of depression, 61% lost weight, 56% are no longer taking medications for those conditions.

More than 10,000 women have gone through GirlTREK’s organizer training. These health activists and local leaders have a multiplier effect, mobilizing their families and thousands of women in neighborhoods across the country to walk each week.

GirlTREK made significant contributions to the public health sector by studying the root causes of early death for Black women and codifying our learnings into The Three Deadly I’s: inactivity, isolation and injustice. This framework is critical for creating strategies and effective interventions, as reported in Stanford Social Innovation Review. The cofounders are among the top 1% of social innovators in the world who were selected for fellowships by Echoing Green, Ashoka, Aspen Institute and Harvard Kennedy School.

We have created a new culture of health in America. GirlTREK members have been featured on CNN, NPR, BET, across national and local radio, in The New York Times and on the world’s biggest stage, TED. Known as the “pioneers of self-care,” “health heroes,” and featured on the cover of Outside Magazine as “Icons,” GirlTREK has received over 50 million unique views on content including a 100-mile walk on the Underground Railroad, an award-winning podcast called Black History Bootcamp and its #DaughtersOf campaign which inspired a film.

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THE AMERICAN SOUTH: AN ORGANIZING STRATEGY

The health crisis is most pronounced in The American South. It is where 59% of Black women reside, making it the perfect staging ground for GirlTREK’s Care Crusade. It is the reason we purchased Dr. Martin Luther King’s office in Montgomery.

While we continue to have opportunities for you to train and serve nationwide, we will invest in targeted recruitment of volunteers to serve as crusaders in Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia.

Why? GirlTREK’s grassroots organizing is a matter of proximity and density. How many people can we walk with from our front doors? As of the 2020 Census, throughout America, there are 103 majority-Black counties where over 50% of the population identifies as Black.

MAJORITY-BLACK COUNTIES > 50% Black Residents Southern Cities with >10,000 GirlTREK Members

Atlanta, GA Birmingham, AL Dallas, TX DMV-Metro Area Houston, TX Jackson, MS New Orleans, LA

SOUTHERN STRATEGY | PAGE 16

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A WAVE OF CARE Unleashed "If each of us just knocked on our own neighbors' doors to invite them to take a walk with us, we'd change everything!"

- Yolanda Williams, Program Manager - Justice Initiative

Care Villages: Over the next ten years, in key cities, GirlTREK will work with partners to stand up a place-based service model called Care Villages in historic Black communities. This is our strategy for sustained care. Our flagship Care Village will be in Montgomery, Alabama, on the very streets where the Montgomery Bus Boycotts were staged.

Care Villages will offer comprehensive mental health first aid, access to fresh food, hospital advocacy and other life-saving resources provided in deep coordination with our local partners.

Care Crusades: Imagine if the most active GirlTREK members trained to deliver care to their neighbors. Starting this fall, we will launch a national community service campaign called The Care Crusade to offer a listening ear, an invitation to weekly walks, and access to virtual “walking support groups” to deal with things like grief, re-entry, caretaker responsibilities, and more.

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UNLOCKING LIFE EXPECTANCY: Walking 30 minutes per day - at least 5 days per week - extends life expectancy by 7 years. When we add lifestyle changes like walking together, eating better or reducing stress, we can easily add another 3 years to meet our goal by 2035.

And that’s just the beginning... Beyond behavior change, we will inspire hope in our communities. We will power a Care Crusade that brings lifesaving resources to the doorsteps of our neighbors. We will create a new culture of health that inspires our daughters and their daughters, for generations to come.

Finally, we have to address the ecosystem of sickness. GirlTREK will organize an energized army of walkers to serve as a powerful constituency to support landmark legislation, advance a policy agenda, and build a wellness economy. When we change systems - like stopping the proliferation of private prisons, increasing access to healthcare, and budgeting for more walkable neighborhoods - we will succeed.

RESEARCH-BASED ACTIONS TO EXTEND LIFE EXPECTANCY with the associated years of extended life Physical Activity

Engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity each week

Healthy Eating:

Adopt a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats

Social Connections: Foster strong relationships and engage in community activities or volunteer work

Time in Nature

Mental Well-Being Years

Engage in outdoor activities like walking, hiking, cycling, or gardening for Vitamin D

Practice stress-reducing activities such as mindfulness or yoga, and seek social support

1

2

3

4

Other Activities: 1) Health Screenings, regular check-ups, vaccinations, and screenings for chronic diseases; 2) Avoiding Tobacco: Quit CASE FOR SUPPORT | PAGE 26 smoking and avoid exposure to secondhand smoke; and 3) Limiting Alcohol Consumption.

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The Workbook

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WELCOME TO SELF-CARE SCHOOL POWERED BY GIRLTREK

"Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation and that is an act of political warfare."

- Audre Lorde

WELCOME TO Self-Care School This is a 10-week walking classroom that uses a high-energy, interactive podcast to teach life-saving skills. At any given time, thousands of women are walking with you in solidarity.

It’s powerful. This course is aligned with our Joy & Justice Advocacy Agenda so that you are ready to leverage big policy wins and a wave of new resources!

Course Highlights: To support your studies, GirlTREK provides fun daily lessons, interactive homework, extra credit challenges, and weekly achievement badges. When you graduate, you will earn a certificate of completion and a set of golden shoelaces, while supplies last.

Graduation Requirements: A 30-minute walk, at least 5 days per week, for 10 weeks. Boom. You got this!

The Workbook: The following pages are an old-school way to track your journey. Every week that you finish 5 walks, we celebrate you. We call it a “High Five Week.” Fill in the bubble for each day you walk. Then, check the “High Five” box when you complete 5 walks each week. To access podcast episodes, get step-by-step instructions for claiming your weekly victory badges, and to announce your graduation, go to girltrek.org/myselfcareschool.

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Week 1: WALK TRACKER:

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BODY RESET 101 TU

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week:

Week 2:

MENTAL RELIEF 101

WALK TRACKER:

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week: PAGE 41

Week 3:

FAMILY HEALING 101

WALK TRACKER:

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week:

Week 4:

FOOD MEDICINE 101

WALK TRACKER:

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week: PAGE 42

Week 5: FINANCial Freedom 101 WALK TRACKER:

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week:

Week 6:

LAND RIGHTS 101

WALK TRACKER:

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week: PAGE 43

Week 7: WALK TRACKER:

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POWER PLAYS 101 TU

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week:

Week 8: WALK TRACKER:

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SELF-DEFENSE 101 TU

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week:

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Week 9: WALK TRACKER:

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RADICAL CARE 101 TU

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week:

Week 10: RADICAL LEADERSHIP 101 WALK TRACKER:

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Notes: Space to jot down skills, statistics or inspiring sayings.

High-Five: Check the box if you completed 5 walks this week: PAGE 45

?

YOU ARE INVITED:

👟

I’m on the path to graduate Self-Care School —a 10-week journey with GirlTREK— and I’m planning my graduation!

Will you join me?

Date: ____________________________Time: ____________________ Location: __________________________________________________ Why: Because self-care is a revolutionary act. Because I’m proud of myself. Because I want to celebrate with the women I love.

📅 📍

READY TO GRADUATE SELF-CARE SCHOOL?

HOST A harriet HOUSE PARTY! 🎉 Harriet House Parties are how we graduate Self-Care School.

A beloved tradition in GirlTREK — these parties are a chance to celebrate your victory and share the best lessons that you learned from self-care school with your friends and family.

Think of the house parties our mothers and grandmothers threw —rent parties, revival gatherings, kitchen-table organizing.

A Harriet House Party is built in that same spirit.

HOW TO HOST A HARRIET HOUSE PARTY

📌 Step 1: Decide on your Guest List

Large or small, this can be a few friends, a reunion of cousins, your church sisters, your co-workers—whoever has cheered you on.

📌 Step 2: Set Your Graduation Date

Count 10 weeks from your start date and mark the moment with intention. (Start April 7th and celebrate with a Juneteenth graduation!)

📌 Step 3: Pick Your Spot

Your house, a restaurant, a park, a backyard picnic—choose a place that feels good to you.

📌 Step 4: Follow the Harriet House Party Toolkit

Download the toolkit from our website for fun tips, recipes, and recommendations to make your party feel special, or just follow the simple protocol provided here.

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RENDEZVOUS POINTS WHERE TWO OR THREE ARE GATHERED We love to unplug and go outside. We love to connect IRL. Rendezvous Points are the official movement events of GirlTREK. Think parades, protests, concerts. Think 5Ks, half-marathons, festivals. Think block parties, wellness revivals, and historic walks where we step out in our superhero blue—together.

📍 These are the moments where we make our presence felt.

Where we show up—bold, visible, and in formation.

📍 These are spaces where we organize for joy and justice. 📍 These are the events where we show up in solidarity. 📍 Rendezvous Points are updated regularly. 📍 Find the official list through the Mobilize link at GirlTREK.org

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SUPERHERO ROLES!

LEADERS OF SELF, FRIENDS, CITIES, COUNTRY This movement is led by you. GirlTREK has formal volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in learning more, please email us at volunteer@girltrek.org or visit GirlTREK.org. Here are roles you can play this year:

MEMBER

n. a member commits to a personal habit of daily walking or exercise as a declaration of self-care! She wears “superhero blue” so that her community can see her service. She completes Self-Care School, walks in solidarity with us over the summer and is a sister’s keeper by inviting friends to go for a walk, year round.

CREW LEADER n. a member who is trained by GirlTREK to host walks with groups of people in her neighborhood. There are safety protocols and organizing guidelines for crew leaders hosting groups of walkers. The training is free and easy. Sign up at GirlTREK.org.

SOCIAL SECRETARY n. a member who is appointed to be a brand ambassador who builds awareness through highenergy, city-level recruitment and marketing activations in key cities. She hosts branded public walks, coordinates meetups at Rendezvous Points, and hosts recruitment house parties.

CARE CRUSADER n. a member who trains and is certified to serve in GirlTREK’s annual Care Crusade as a frontline responder to the health needs of our communities. In 2025, roles will include The Blue Brigade (mental health first responders) and GirlTREK Gardeners.

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Sister’s Keeper

10 WAYS TO INSPIRE YOUR FRIENDS TO WALK WITH YOU The Simpler the Better: You don’t have to tell them about GirlTREK or the health crisis. Whoa, Nelly. Just say, “Hey girl, you want to go for a walk tomorrow after work?”

Invite Them to Your Walk: Don’t ask them to plan a walk with you.

Invite them to one you’ve already planned.

Consistency Works: Same time, same place. Easy for people to join.

Be Supportive: Our friends have different levels of fitness. Be clear how far the walk is and how difficult the inclines are. Assure your friends that they can walk at their own pace and complete as many loops or miles as they want.

Be the Coolest Girl in Town: Find out all of the outdoor events in town concerts, festivals, protests - and ask your friends to walk with you as you do cool stuff. Don’t forget to rep GirlTREK with your gear!

Fun Themes, Experiences or Holidays: Think of your walks as a social event! Make meetups fun by creating themes like Halloween Costume Walk or Black History Tour or Mother-Daughter Walk. #BlackGirlJoy Paparazzi: Show your friends what they are missing!

Make it a habit to snap a picture when you are out walking, feeling great or see something beautiful like a sunset or skyline! Show off your #GirlTREKGlow! Tag all the goodness on social media with #GirlTREK. Reminders, Reminders, Reminders: You'd be surprised how many people are inspired by you and have every intention to join you on a walk, but they forget. Text friends 2-3 times before your walking date. If you are fancy, send them an Outlook calendar invite.

Jaw-Dropping Locations: Have you ever walked through a nature preserve, a global marketplace or across an iconic bridge at sunrise?

Take your friends on the road to inspire new experiences.

Testify: Tell people your story and what walking has done for you.

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TALK BEFORE THE WALK From Seattle to South Africa, whether you are a member who is walking with a friend or you are a trained crew leader, GirlTREK walks start the same way.

We thank sisters for coming and welcome them with a quick talk that includes a “3-S” format:

STORY: Why does walking together matter to you?

What is GirlTREK?

SUMMARY What is the route? Distance?

Pace? Terrain? Time expected?

SAFETY: See checklist and protocol on next page...

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SAFETY CHECKLIST: Scout: Check out the full route before you walk with others to audit any hazards (dogs, uneven terrain, missing street lights, etc.)

Review Trek Code: Review and uphold the codes of GirlTREK. (See page 53) Liability Waiver: Please ensure that all women who walk with you sign up at GirlTREK.org, which includes a liability waiver for our volunteers.

Gear and Supplies: Everyone should have supportive sneakers and be wearing layers appropriate for the weather.

Street Rules: Walk on sidewalks and paths. When sidewalks are missing, walk on the shoulder toward car and bike traffic. Never jaywalk. Wait for the entire team to cross intersections.

Emergency Tools: Bring a charged cell phone, extra water and a little bit of food or candy – in case someone needs it. If you have allergies/asthma bring your EpiPen/inhaler and encourage others to do the same.

Emergency Protocol: Call 911 or emergency services phone number. Do NOT hesitate!

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Talking Points THE PR RECEIPTS YOU NEED IN YOUR BACK POCKET.

🔵 “We’ve mobilized 1M+ members who are now leading a

neighborhood-based revolution to increase Black women’s life expectancy by 10 years in 10 years.” (Period.)

🔵 “We just launched the 10-Point Joy & Justice Agenda—all

of our advocacy is aligned with this bold vision for liberation.”

(Solidarity with systems-change actors is how we power this agenda.)

🔵 “GirlTREK is not just for Black women—it’s led by Black

women for the communities we love.” (We lead our families, our blocks, our workplaces. That’s real diversity.)

🔵 “We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit leading the largest public

health intervention for Black women in history.” (We are nonpartisan. We don’t campaign or lobby for parties, but we do advocate for our rights and vote!)

🔵 “We cracked the code: Walking 30 minutes a day adds 7 years to your life. Add joy, sisterhood, and lifestyle changes—that’s +3 more.” (Our solution is a wonder drug.)

🔵 “We are the proud owners of Bricklayer’s Hall—Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s former headquarters—as our national movement home in Montgomery, AL.” (We don’t just study history. We invest in it.)

🔵 “GirlTREK is free. You can support the movement through donations on the website or by shopping in our online store.”

(Thank you!)

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QUICK HEALTH STATS

That is the 19th U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy.

He loves GirlTREK!

RESEARCH POINTS: THE CRISIS: We are on the front lines of a health crisis. Black women are dying 10 years earlier than women of other races and we say, not on our watch!

THE FACTS: 82% of us are over a healthy weight; 67% of us get little to no leisure-time exercise each day; 137 Black women die each day from heart disease - that's more than gun violence, HIV/AIDS and smoking combined! HALF of Black girls will develop Type II Diabetes if current diet and levels of physical activity remain constant.

THE SOLUTION: There is consensus in the medical community: Walking is the SINGLE most POWERFUL thing a woman can do for her health.

THE COMMUNITY: We practice radical welcome, which means anyone is invited to support this movement to save Black women’s lives.

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THE TREK CODE: How we walk

The 7-Minute Rule: Early is on time. We always get to the trek location 7 minutes early to meet our friends, crews or community.

Loop and Scoop!

We never leave a sister behind.

We always double back to make sure everyone finishes.

Single-File and Smile: We share the sidewalk with our neighbors by collapsing to a single file line to pass them. As we go by, we spread joy with a friendly “hello!”

GirlTREK Pace! We NEVER mosey! We hustle hard! We trek a 15-minute mile– that’s 4 miles per hour! Time yourself.

Can you walk 4 miles in one hour?

Celebrate Every Victory!

We always wait for and cheer on the last woman. Each trek ends with a victory bridge and joy jump photo!

Tell the #GirlTREK Story!

Model what it means to be a healthy Black woman. We primarily use social media to broadcast our stories in the streets. “We outside!” Share your photos using #GirlTREK. PAGE 55

THE DON'TS, LORD PlEASE

Please DON’T talk to the media on behalf of GirlTREK. Speaking for one million members is tough. We can help you. We want your voice to be heard. And we know how it is when the lights come on.

We want to see you 100% prepared and inspiring. Please share any media request - written, radio or television - with us at info@girltrek.org and wait for a response before proceeding.

Please DON’T solicit, charge fees or sell bootleg products.

GirlTREK is free! The sale of our gear underwrites the costs of our movement!

Please DON’T seek funding for your own project using GirlTREK. We are building a sustainability plan for the organization and brand, and we have a strategy for fundraising. If you have funding leads that support our collective mission, please send them to info@girltrek.org.

Please DON’T wear our gear at events that conflict with our agenda.

Our superhero blue shirts are sacred. We’ve seen them on the frontlines of protests, at city council meetings, and in service delegations around the world. It’s beautiful. Please be judicious with where you wear our movement’s logo.

Please DON’T cancel.

Trust and reliability matter! A little rain ain’t never hurt nobody!

Please DON’T judge.

We are a kind and loving movement. We welcome everyone!

Please make people feel safe – all women and girls are welcome, always.

Please DON’T give up!

Leading a health movement can have ups and downs, but we promise determination pays off!

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NEED HELP? WE'VE GOT YOU!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS We have created an interactive guide to answer all of your real-time questions. We have an excellent member care team that can also assist you. To get started, go to GirlTREK.org and click FAQs at the bottom.

Sign Up? Members should sign up at GirlTREK.org Emergency? Immediately call 911 and report all emergencies to info@girltrek.org within 24 hours Email? We are here to answer your questions at info@girltrek.org Phone? Have a quick question during the week?

We'd love to hear from you at (202) 808-8419 Testimony? Have a great story? Tell us about it.

Email info@girltrek.org Website? Need some help with the website? We're here to help. Email info@girltrek.org Inspiration? Check out our award-winning podcast to keep yourself inspired to walk daily. Go to blackhistorybootcamp.com

T-Shirts? You can purchase all your GirlTREK gear at shop.girltrek.org Recruitment Tools? For videos, presentations and manuals, check out "Basic Tools for Organizing" on our website Music? We've created an awesome CLASSIC SOUL pacing playlist at tinyurl.com/GirlTREKPlaylist Plus we have dozens of current playlists on Spotify as part of Black History Bootcamp Instagram? We’ve taken a social media hiatus lately because it’s half the problem!

But when we come back it will be @GirlTREK. In the meantime, we encourage you to share your very best photos using #GirlTREK. It will inspire those in your life Facebook? Get inspiration by joining your city's FB group or reading posts at our main page at GirlTREK: Healthy Black Women and Girls!

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Sister’s Keeper

Progress on Your Pledge Friend’s Name AishA

Date of Walk

Location

1/2/25

Campus

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

ENCOURAGE YOUR FRIENDS TO TAKE THE PLEDGE AT GIRLTREK.ORG We want her counted in this beautiful movement and the GirlTREK Pledge protects our movement with a liability waiver.

CLAIM YOUR VICTORY: Did you fulfill your pledge and walk with 10 women this year? Awesome. Good job. Go to GirlTREK.org to claim your commemorative Sister’s Keeper bracelet. While supplies last.

BONUS LINES: ...in case you get on a roll.

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NOTES & BRILLIANT IDEAS

rek T l r #Gi

NOTES & BRILLIANT IDEAS

The Faith of Our Foremothers We end this membership guide, the way our mother’s taught us, in prayer.

Dear God, We pause to say thank you.

Thank you for life, health and strength, Thank you for one another.

Thank you for this bold new vision.

Speak to us God. Love, lead the way.

We expect joy and justice for all.

God, please light a new fire in us.

Like Sonia Sanchez said, “...that beautiful fire that gave light to the world.

The fire of pyramids; The fire that burned through the holes of slave ships and made us breathe; The fire of sit-ins and marches that made us jump boundaries and barriers.”

Let our love sweep through the streets.

Please heal our bodies and minds.

Restore our families Revitalize our communities.

Inspire our daughters to walk by faith with us.

They will tell of your goodness.

Like Harriet, we will put feet to our prayers.

Like Fannie, we will let our lights shine through the darkest hours, we march on.

Like Sojourner Truth, we will lift our voices.

We will plant seeds and leave a legacy of Your fruit: of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and discipline.

The world will see our service and our sisterhood and be in awe.

We know you can do it because you’ve done it before.

And we honor you.

May we have the faith of our foremothers.

Amen.

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