Women travel from throughout Greater Los Angeles to attend event honoring Harriet Tubman and promoting good health.
Last Saturday, FAME and Let’s Move Nation kicked off its partnership with GirlTrek as we hosted FreedomWalk – an event honoring historic civil rights leader Harriet Tubman and celebrating a commitment to good health. Women travelled from all over Los Angeles to join us for this festive, fun event. The walk was part of a weekend-long nationwide observance of Tubman’s birth organized by GirlTrek.
The walk was held on a beautiful Saturday morning and consisted of a nearly three mile trek around the West Adams neighborhood starting at our Let’s Move headquarters at Western and Adams. Before walking, trekkers enjoyed a refreshing pre-walk fresh squeezed fruit and vegetable “juice boost” and then shared personal stories on “Why We Walk.”
Walker Saat-Rai liked the historical aspect of the event: “I can remember the impact Harriet’s story had on me growing up in Baltimore,” she said. “I also remember walking by the church that houses a leg of the Underground Railroad.” She also said she felt humbled and honored to be a part of the walk.
For another, the commitment to good health was her focus. Just one year ago she was diagnosed with high blood pressure and had to begin taking medication regularly. Her diagnosis was a wake-up call to make healthier changes in her day to day habits.
Walkers of all ages and abilities took part – from the very young (age 6) to those still young at heart (age 73), with some coming from as far as Pasadena and Long Beach to attend. “This is a day of fellowship,” said B. Symone Leak who led the event for GirlTrek and Let’s Move Nation. “Harriet Tubman had a vision for her life despite being born into slavery. We want to inspire these women to not only honor what Harriet achieved, but to see her as a role model for what they can achieve as it relates to their goals and dreams, and in so doing leading a healthy lifestyle.”
At the end of the event, each trekker received a gift bag which included items such as healthy cookbooks to commemorate the day and their commitment to healthy living. “For Harriet Tubman her journey did not end with the Underground Railroad. Her work was only beginning,” said FAME Corporations CEO Denise Hunter. “We hope similarly for these walkers that today is just the beginning of their journey to good health.”
