Walking just 20 minutes a day can boost your mood, memory, and overall health—but for Queens Girls Who Walk, it’s about more than steps and stamina.
The Northeast Queens-based group turns a simple stroll into a powerful space for connection, community, and support among women of all ages.
The group was founded by Eastern Queens resident Stancy Saji, who wanted a simple, accessible way to stay active while fostering deeper connections in her neighborhood. After finding that many local meet-ups lacked lasting bonds, she decided to create the kind of community she had been searching for.
“I started in the dead of winter in December, and it was really just an idea to fill a void I saw—there weren’t enough spaces or platforms for women to get together in Eastern Queens,” said Saji. “I told some people, posted on Facebook, and we did our first walk on a snowy, icy day at Alley Pond Park.”
Saji chose walking for its simplicity and its powerful impact on mental health.
“Walking is an easy threshold to pass—it’s fun, it clears your mind, and it really restores you,” she said. “Being by the water at places like Fort Totten or Alley Pond, it just makes people feel better.”
Despite the cold, 60 women signed up for the group’s first one-hour walk, and 30 showed up that day, proof that many are eager for meaningful connection, no matter the weather. Many participants arrive solo, but rarely leave that way. The friendships formed on these walks often extend beyond the group’s monthly meet-ups.
Women have joined from across Eastern Queens, including neighborhoods like Bayside, Douglaston, Richmond Hill, Flushing, and Ozone Park. Saji emphasized that the group’s core value is inclusivity, welcoming women of all ages and backgrounds.
“The oldest woman we’ve had is in her late 60s,” Saji said. “She told us other clubs felt too old for her, but she’s really been enjoying this. It’s very casual, very warm. People are truly coming to make new friends and they’re continuing those friendships beyond the walks, which I love.”
With members ranging from their 20s to their 60s, the group is organically becoming a cross-generational space for support, conversation, and community.
In their March walk, Saji collaborated with Ambeka Khadse, a certified yoga instructor in Queens who has also been hosting free yoga classes in Crocheron Park. Before their walk at Fort Totten, the women participated in a relaxing stretch. The connection with mindfulness has been a great addition to the monthly meet-up, which will also be part of the walking group’s next walk on April 26 at Cunningham Park.
“For the last walk, we added a mindful movement stretching component,” said Saji. “[Khadse] has a following in Queens, especially Eastern Queens, so she led yoga before our walk as a warm-up last time, and we have her coming back this time too.”
As warmer weather begins to settle in more consistently, Stancy Saji anticipates larger turnouts for the group’s monthly walks. She’s also exploring additional activities beyond the regular meetups, focusing on keeping any new events free or low-cost to ensure accessibility.
Among the upcoming plans are a special Mother’s Day walk and a breast cancer awareness walk in October, inspired by personal stories shared within the group.
“With the women that we already know, some people have shared personal stories, like their experiences with breast cancer or illness, and how to overcome that,” said Saji. “I’m already planning to have a breast cancer walk for October. These ladies have gone through a lot, and oftentimes they haven’t had a place to share their story.”
Women who are interested in the group’s next walk scheduled for Saturday, April 26, at 11 a.m. at Cunningham Park can sign up here. To stay current on the group’s upcoming walks, follow the group’s Instagram page.
