GirlTrek held a virtual town hall meeting with three high-profile Selma leaders on Friday at Tabernacle Baptist Church.

GirlTrek co-founders Morgan Dixon and Vanessa Gordon spoke with Selma Center for Nonviolence, Truth and Reconciliation (CNTR) Executive Director Ainka Jackson, Selma City Councilwoman Jannie Thomas and Community Organizer Callie Greer.

Dixon and Gordon asked Jackson, Thomas and Greer their ideas on how to change the Queen City. Over the last few years, Selma has become one of the nation’s most violent cities.

“My wish for Selma would be to end the division because we all need to work together,” Jackson said.

Thomas said her duties are to make Selma a safer environment for both the elderly and babies.

“I hate to see our young people get in trouble in this environment,” Thomas said. “The young people should want more.

The other question was how can ordinary make change in Selma.

Jackson said the youth must get taught about the historical figures who fought for Civil Rights during the 1950’s and 60’s, such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Amelia Boynton-Robinson and Marie Foster.

“Our young people need to know who came before them,” Jackson said. “I love Martin Luther King, I love Amelia Boynton and I love Marie Foster, but they’re not coming back.”

Dixon said GirlTrek will help the Queen City solve its issues.

“We need to eliminate the division and end the violence,” Dixon said. “My greatest hope is every hometown take up the mantle of GirlTrek.”

Gordon said the goal is to have one million African-American women walk with GirlTrek by the end of 2019.

Tabernacle Baptist Church Pastor Otis Dion Culliver also attended the town hall.