Expert Bio

The conversation took an unusual turn. “What would Harriet Tubman do?” They considered starting a W.W.H.D. t-shirt company; but after a long and colorful conversation, they started GirlTrek. They wanted to dedicate their lives to addressing the root causes of inactivity in their communities. Since 2011, the founders have represented GirlTrek and its mission as keynote speakers at national conferences and top universities. GirlTrek’s innovation has been cited in peer-reviewed research and featured in national media stories. Morgan and Vanessa are in-demand speakers on public health, the obesity-crisis, affordable health solutions, and health barriers – specifically walkability – in urban neighborhoods. For interviews or speaking engagements contact us.

A Brief History
GirlTrek is a 2-year-old national nonprofit in Washington, DC with an active community of over 150,000 women and girls! Vanessa Garrison and Tanya Morgan Dixon are the dynamic duo behind the movement. GirlTrek started with a routine telephone call. The two women discussed the health challenges facing their families and communities. The conversation ranged from the lack of healthy food options in poor neighborhoods to the influence of hip hop videos on the psyche of teenage girls.