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Harriet  

 

Don't say nothing 'less you ready to go hard like Harriet Tubman.

 

We're looking for soldiers! 

 

You ain't heard? 12,000 Black women are dropping everything and walking - in their communities, wherever they are - at exactly 4:30pm EST on March 10th - as a "moving tribute" - to commemorate Harriet Tubman exactly 100 years after her passing. 

 

Harriet Tubman died in 1913 and we will not let this centennial go by without paying tribute.

 

Today, we face an unprecedented crisis.  Harriet Tubman would not even recognize us.  Black women are dying younger and at higher rates than ANY OTHER GROUP IN AMERICA.  1 in 2 Black girls born in 2000 will likely get diabetes.  4 in 10 Black high school student are overweight and 4 out of 5 of us are over a health body weight leading to deadly diseases like heart disease.

 

This crisis is preventable.  It's in our hands.  We GOT this. I said, we GOT this! We ARE Harriet!

 

If she could walk for freedom, we can walk for better health. 

 

GirlTrek Team in DC  

 

So... on March 10th, write it on your calendars now, March 10th at 4:30pm EST, we are organizing a national tribute to Harriet  Tubman that kickoff an 8-week challenge to walk for better health. Together, we will walk 30 minutes per day, at least 5 days per week, for 8 weeks straight.  Some of us will start teams.  Some of us will walk alone.

 

Last year we lost hundreds of pounds - together.

 

Our top trekker Vonda Vass Summers walked 7,472 minutes. Over the last two years she's lost 100 lbs.  

 

Top Trekker  

 

Did you know that walking 150 minutes per week is the best way to start a weight loss journey.  Just losing 7% of body fat can decrease your risk of diabetes by 58% percent and heart attack by 35%.

 

This won't work unless you roll up your sleeves and get involved. 

 

YOU - yep, you girl - will make this happen.  Please don't let this effort stop in your inbox. It WILL happen. You - and thousands of women like you already organizing.  Listen to this voicemail left by one of the volunteers.

 

THREE WAYS YOU CAN HELP!!!! 

 

1. Plan to walk exactly 100 minutes on that day. This is our "walking tribute" to our hero. You down?  If yes, tell the world! Reserve you place in history. Put your name on the list here.

 

2. Where two or three are gathered!!! Share this email.  We know you know some women who got that fire in their bellies!  Think about it. Send this to them.  It is an honor to be a part of this! We are awarding every woman who inspires 10 or more walkers to join us with a special shout out! Can you get 10 women at your job or church to sign up? Forward this email now. (Take the "FWD" out of the subject so people actually read it!)

 

3. Go Fannie Lou on 'em. Start organizing for real!!!! If you are old skool like us, make some "We are Harriet" flyers to put in the beauty shop or print out this one we made!  Or...make an announcement at church! "Giving honor to God, Pastor, Saints...I've GOT to tell ya'll about an opportunity to treat our bodies like the temples they are WHILE honoring our history!!!!"  If you are new skool - tweet about it .... Invite peeps on FB..., create a YouTube viral video!!! Our website is www.girltrek.org.  Spread the word!

 

This is the start of something BIG, a new freedom movement - freedom from disease and depression holding us back from our healthiest, most fulfilled lives. We are not a statistic. We are strong and loving sisters, leaders of our communities. This obesity crisis, ain't nothing compared to the road we've traveled. 

 

This tribute is organized by GirlTrek, a national health nonprofit based in DC that was started by two Black women who loved themselves, their families and communities enough to say "it's on!" They made a commitment to mobilize one million sisters to address the obesity crisis that is causing preventable diseases. Together, we will get healthier by leading walking revolutions in our communities. To learn more about GirlTrek, check us out at www.girltrek.org and join our exciting Facebook community at www.facebook.com/healthyblackwomenandgirls 

 

You fired up?

 

You want ANOTHER ways to help?  Bet.

 

4. Customize your email signature to include this:

 

Have you heard? GirlTrek is hosting a moving tribute to Harriet Tubman on March 10th to celebrate the 100-year centennial of her life!  Together, on that day, 10,000 women and girls will walk 100 minutes in her honor. This event will kick-off an 8-week commitment to walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days per week! We are facing a health crisis. Black women are disproportionately affected by and dying from PREVENTABLE, obesity-related diseases like diabetes and heart disease. If Harriet Tubman could walk to freedom, we can walk to better health!  Reserve your place in history. Register at http://LockerRoom.GirlTrek.org 

 

Ya'll ready. Bust them sneakers out!

 

In solidarity,

 

Morgan and Vanessa

 

P.S.

Want to know how this all started.  Here is a video of co-founder Morgan Dixon talking about depression and her personal motivation for walking.

 

P.P.S. It's cold outside? Here is some added inspiration from trekkers in Detroit working it OUT this week.  


P.P.P.S.  Did you forward this message yet?  Come on now.  Let's pay tribute to our hero.  Reserve your spot in history, then invite 10 friends to pay respect too.  Don't close this email. Hit "forward" 10 friends.  Let's do this.  W.W.H.D.? What would Harriet do?

Last P.S. - we promise.  Because you read this entire call to action, here is some secret information.  Tomorrow, we are starting a daily giveaway.  A free GirlTrek hoodie to the woman who registers the most new walkers each day!  Aight now.  It's on.