With an idea originating from tragedy, an LSU student has created a new organization to provide women on the university’s campus with safe and reliable transportation. 

Pre-dental hygiene sophomore Alisha Ortolano is the founder and current vice president of marketing for Girls Rides at LSU, an organization that was created in response to the death of LSU student Madison Brooks after leaving the popular bar area Tigerland in January 2023.

Ortolano took to Facebook following Brooks’ death to express her frustration, unintentionally starting the organization. 

“Rape and sexual assault are more common than people think. I hate to say it but if she wouldn’t have passed away, none of this information would’ve come out, which makes me sick for all women in today’s world,” Ortolano posted. “. . . If any of my Baton Rouge girls EVER need a ride home, no matter how well I know you or what time it is, I am always available to pick you up or help find you a trusted ride home. Sending so much love to Madi’s family, sorority sisters and friends.” 

Thus, the Girls Rides at LSU GroupMe was created. 

The organization’s purpose is to help get women to and from where they need to be in Baton Rouge, as well as provide rides to the New Orleans Airport. The process is simple: when a student needs a ride, all they must do is message the group chat to ask for one. The organization is split into different sections to accommodate women in any situation that they need, and it is free for students to use.

This organization has grown to have over 1,600 members and counting, with at least one girl receiving a ride once a day. 

“I feel like we are doing something really great on campus,” said the Vice President of Girls Rides at LSU and social work and psychology senior Lauren McKey. “I’ve met some of my best friends through this.” 

Many women have gained connections and lifelong friends through interacting within the organization’s group chat. Most times this group of “girl’s girls” ask for help with things like job availability in the area or even the rehoming of kittens – a true story that occurred within the past few weeks, according to President of Girls Rides at LSU pre-vet sophomore Adriana Caldcleugh. 

“It’s very empowering to kind of see girls take action. I can literally shoot out a text saying there are 12 kittens that need homes tonight and within an hour all of the girls in the chat will join together and those 12 kittens will have a home,” Caldcleugh said. 

Not only are they affecting the lives of women on campus, but they’re also reaching out to a broader audience. After one of their TikToks received over 30,000 views, LSU professors reached out to the organization to include their information for future syllabi.  

The organization has inspired other universities to start their own chapters, including Southern University, Northwestern State University and Southeastern Louisiana University, with the possibility of spreading to other schools outside of Louisiana. 

“Everyone has been so sweet and so welcoming, and so seeing that so many people are proud and happy to be a part of what we are doing,” McKey said. “Like this is just the beginning and we are going to keep growing and keep getting farther and farther into the community, so I’m excited to see where it goes.”

The organization was facilitated entirely through GroupMe until Oct. 30, when it became an official campus organization. Under the advisement of Cassandra Chaney, a professor in the School of Social Work, the club can now participate in on-campus events and host some events of their own. 

Besides giving rides to girls in need, the organization is also planning to give back to the community through future volunteer work with the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank and possible givebacks with local fast food restaurant Small Sliders and jewelry brand Kendra Scott. 

The organization has personally put Caldcleugh in a position to inspire young women. She was recently asked to speak at her high school to get senior girls to start their own Girls Rides chapters at their future universities. 

“I’ll be speaking there to try to get some senior girls to start their own chapters at their respective universities,” Caldcleugh said. “We plan on going to speak to other universities and other organizations on campus.” 

Girls Rides is having its first official club meeting on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m. Information regarding the club, membership and giveaways can be found on its Instagram at @girlsrideslsu, or students can contact the girls through email at [email protected].

“We are literally just a group of ‘girls girls’ – so a group of women by women – so it’s great to see the impact it’s had so far,” Caldcleugh said. “Also, the amount of people willing to donate, reach out, to do givebacks and giveaways is overwhelming. We are super appreciative of that and it’s really great to see how the community supports a women’s safety group.”