In an era where we are continuously fighting for union rights, member protections and equitable workplaces, one truth is becoming clearer than ever: advocacy requires stamina. And stamina requires care. As union members, we pour so much into organizing, educating and mobilizing, but we must also pour into ourselves. For me, that renewal happens on the move.
I am a proud participant in GirlTrek, an internationally recognized movement dedicated to improving the health and well-being of Black women through walking. Rooted in purpose and powered by community, GirlTrek reminds us that wellness is not separate from “the work.” It is “the work.” We walk in the spirit of Harriet Tubman, embodying courage, resilience and the commitment to never leave anyone behind. While centered on Black women, this movement embraces families and communities, creating space for collective healing and strength.
In 2022, during the first NJEA Members of Color (MOC) overnight conference, something powerful happened. Union members who were also GirlTrek walkers found one another. What began as a simple connection quickly became a shared commitment. It was an understanding that our fight for justice is stronger when we are well, connected and moving together.
That first walk at the conference wasn’t just symbolic. It was transformative. We walked for freedom, for health and for strength. We walked to build the stamina needed to remain vigilant in our advocacy. And we didn’t stop there. At the following overnight MOC conference, we walked again, deepening relationships, building trust and strengthening the bonds that sustain our work.
What started as conference walks has grown into something much bigger. Throughout the year, groups of us from across the state come together to walk in our communities. On these trails, sidewalks and parks, ideas flow, barriers fall, conversations deepen and strategies arise. Walking creates a different kind of meeting space where authenticity leads, and connection follows.
One of our most meaningful traditions has become our annual Cherry Blossom Walk at Branch Brook Park in Newark. Surrounded by beauty and renewal, we gather not just to walk, but to recommit to ourselves, to each other and to the work ahead. These moments remind us that just as we build our advocacy muscles, we must also build our physical and mental strength.
Through these walks, I have built meaningful relationships, sparked collaborations and helped design organizing efforts that extend far beyond the trail. These are not just casual meetups; they are incubators for change.
Sometimes, the most impactful union work doesn’t happen in a meeting room or workshop. Sometimes, it happens step by step, side by side, in conversation and community.
So here is the call: Move your body. Build your stamina. Find your people. When we take care of our health, we strengthen our fight. When we walk together, we move the work forward, powerfully and purposefully, together.