We did it for Harriet, because she showed us the way. Reminded us that it’s OK to walk alone.
We did it for Fannie, because she taught us how to organize. Showed us that every woman can be a leader.
Now, we do it for Auntie Maxine.
Because she teaches us daily,
How to find our voice,
How to speak truth to power,
How to stand in grace against the storm,
How to reclaim our time in the process.
This Wednesday, August 15th, Maxine Waters will turn 80 years old and GirlTrek is joining AFRPOPUNK, Color of Change, and thousands of Black folks across the country in a national #BELIKEMAXINE celebration, by organizing 80 walks across the nation in her honor.
Will you join us?
Will you #BELIKEMAXINE and reclaim 30-minutes of time for self-care in her honor?
We need 80 women who want to show the world how much we love and appreciate Auntie Maxine to walk on Wednesday and invite a friend or two or ten or a hundred(!) to join you!
No walk is too small. You + a friend = a celebration.
Will you be one of the 80?
It’s as simple as 1…2…3…
REGISTER your walk. Sign up here. It takes two seconds. Put your walk on the official list so we know who you are and where you will be walking.
REPRESENT on social media! Use one of these memes (A, B or C) on social media, in email and/or in text and invite your friends to join you. Want to really make it official? Put your walk on GirlTrek’s national map. You never know who might join!
WALK IT OUT! Wednesday, August 15th is a work day for most so schedule your walk in the evening between 5-8PM to make it easy for people to come out. Also, as a show of solidarity we will be wearing our GirlTrek shirts AND red lipstick in celebration of Auntie being so fly. (of course, make sure to use #BELIKEMAXINE and #GirlTrek to share your pictures. See below for more tips.)
New to GirlTrek organizing? Here are some tips to get you
TIP #1: Use the GirlTrek Basics: Start and end your walk in the GirlTrek way with a “Talk Before The Walk” and end the walk with a “Victory Bridge!” All details for hosting a Walk can be found in GirlTrek's Field Guide for Organizers or this fun boot camp video. A Talk Before the Walk is a fancy way of saying, tell the people why they’re there! Tell them all safety rules for the walk and assure them that at GirlTrek, we “never leave a sister behind!” Here are two classic videos (Sandria and Keinika) of talks. Start the walk together on a safe, pre-scouted route and end with a ceremonial victory bridge! It's that simple.
TIP #2: Celebrate! This is an all-out celebration! Do you know what it means for Maxine Waters to be 80-years old and standing as a role model to all of us? This is a celebration of Black women. This is a celebration of freedom and life! You might have streamers, signs, whatever makes it special for you. You can send a copy of one of these vintage special-edition Happy Birthday Auntie Posters to your nearest Office Depot or FedEx Kinkos and have them print it on foam poster board like an old school protest sign. You may walk and sing Happy Birthday (Stevie version – of course!) You may want to read a favorite quote from Maxine or ask women to say the names of women who dedicated their lives to the service. Let this be fun-loving and vibrant.
TIP #3: Take Pictures!! How we gone see you!? Be sure to take LOTS of action shots! Share them on social media using #BELIKEMAXINE and #GirlTrek. We’ll feature the best 25 images in an online roundup next week.
That’s it! Maxine Waters is a living foremother. We walk in her footsteps. We celebrate her! #BELIKEMAXINE
Your sisters,
Vanessa and Morgan
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