The most powerful woman you've never heard of | T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Renae

Summary

This powerful script highlights the legacy of Septima Clark, a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement, known for creating Citizenship Schools that empowered women through education and voting rights. It connects her work to modern health activism led by GirlTrek, a movement aimed at improving Black women’s health through walking and community organizing. With a mission to train 10,000 health activists and create a national revolution in health, GirlTrek draws inspiration from Clark’s blueprint of bold, grassroots change. The story also reflects on the urgency of addressing health inequalities in Black communities and the ongoing fight for justice.

Takeaways

• 😀 Septima Clark is recognized as the 'architect of the civil rights movement' for her creation of Citizenship Schools that empowered Black women to teach others to read, enabling them to vote.
• 😀 Her Citizenship Schools inspired countless civil rights activists, including Diane Nash, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Rosa Parks, who were instrumental in key civil rights moments like the Selma to Montgomery march.
• 😀 Septima Clark’s teachings also influenced cultural movements, such as the song 'We Shall Overcome,' which became a civil rights anthem.
• 😀 GirlTrek, co-founded by T. Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Garrison, is the largest health organization for Black women in America, with a mission to encourage Black women to walk for health and activism.
• 😀 The core principles of GirlTrek are rooted in the lessons of Septima Clark: bold ideas, cultural traditions, clear goals, and the fundamental right to solve one's own problems.
• 😀 GirlTrek's success in inspiring over 100,000 Black women to take up walking shows the power of community-driven change, where one organizer can influence hundreds of others.
• 😀 GirlTrek plans to scale its impact by creating the next Citizenship School, aiming to train 10,000 health activists and support one million Black women in their health journeys.
• 😀 'Summer of Selma' will be an annual pilgrimage that includes a 54-mile walk and intensive training in organizing, exercise science, nutrition, storytelling, and leadership.
• 😀 Black women face disproportionate health challenges, with factors like trauma, inequality, and lack of access to resources contributing to higher rates of disease and death.
• 😀 The story of Jake Green, who helped the GirlTrek team during their 100-mile journey on the Underground Railroad, serves as a reminder of the potential for human kindness and unity in times of struggle.
• 😀 The broader mission of GirlTrek is to combat the health crisis among Black women and ensure that future generations can live healthy, just lives, as envisioned by activists like Septima Clark.

Q & A

Who is Septima Clark, and what role did she play in the Civil Rights Movement?

Septima Clark was a key figure in the Civil Rights Movement, referred to by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as the 'architect of the civil rights movement.' She created Citizenship Schools, where she taught ordinary people, particularly women, how to read so they could vote. Her work empowered countless activists, including figures like Diane Nash, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Rosa Parks.

How did Septima Clark's Citizenship Schools contribute to the Civil Rights Movement?

Septima Clark's Citizenship Schools taught literacy and practical skills, which allowed disenfranchised communities, especially Black women, to vote. By teaching people to read, she helped them gain political power. These schools led to a surge in voter participation and produced many prominent civil rights activists.

What is the mission of GirlTrek, and how does it relate to the legacy of Septima Clark?

GirlTrek is the largest health organization for Black women in America, with the mission of encouraging Black women to walk outside every day to improve their health. Their work builds upon Septima Clark's legacy by empowering women to make change in their communities, just as she empowered women in the Civil Rights Movement.

How does GirlTrek aim to create a new culture of health for Black women?

GirlTrek promotes a radical movement where Black women reverse chronic diseases by adopting a simple but impactful habit of walking daily. The organization works to build healthier communities by organizing women, raising awareness, and advocating for healthier environments.

What are the key elements of GirlTrek’s approach to social activism?

GirlTrek's approach to activism is based on four key elements: having a bold, transformative idea; rooting down in the cultural traditions of the community; identifying a simple, collective goal; and never asking for permission to make change.

What is the 'Summer of Selma,' and what will it entail?

The 'Summer of Selma' is an annual pilgrimage organized by GirlTrek, which includes a walk of 54 miles from Selma to Montgomery. It will also involve training in organizing, recruitment, exercise science, nutrition, storytelling, and leadership. The event will be a cultural institution aimed at empowering women to become community health activists.

What historical significance does the Selma to Montgomery march hold?

The Selma to Montgomery march is one of the most iconic events in the Civil Rights Movement. It marked a pivotal moment in the fight for voting rights and was a major catalyst for the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

What was the impact of Erica Garner's death, and how does it relate to GirlTrek’s mission?

Erica Garner's death, which was caused by a heart attack at age 27, underscores the disproportionate health issues facing Black women, particularly in relation to trauma and stress. GirlTrek’s mission to address the health crisis among Black women is directly linked to preventing such deaths by promoting healthier lifestyles and supporting women in need.

How does GirlTrek plan to scale its impact across the country?

GirlTrek plans to scale its impact by training 10,000 frontline health activists to work in the highest-need communities across America. These activists will model healthy behaviors, advocate for change, and support the health and well-being of one million Black women.

What does the story about Jake Green teach us about the power of community and faith?

Jake Green's story demonstrates the power of unexpected kindness and the interconnectedness of humanity. When he saw the GirlTrek women struggling during their 100-mile journey, he felt compelled to help, reminding us that there are still people who care deeply and are willing to offer support in times of need. His act renewed the faith of the GirlTrek team in both humanity and God.