This September 11th will mark the 18th anniversary of a day none of us will ever forget.

In honor of this day, Friday I am riding 260-miles from ground zero to Boston to raise money for, Beyond the 11th, a foundation started by my friend Susan and her friend, both 9/11 widows.

Susan and her friend were struck by the support they received from their community and our country and wanted to pay it forward, They decided to reach across the ocean and work to support the widows of Afghanistan – among the poorest and most oppressed women in the world. They do this by working with organizations that train Afghan widows in the essential jobs skills they need to become self-reliant. 

I met Susan when I moved up to Boston because they awarded Bpeace (an organization I was on the Board of for 10 years) a grant for their work with women widow business leaders.
Bpeace and other programs supported by Beyond the 11th teach these vulnerable women how to run small businesses to generate income.

One organization teaches women how to organize Community Based Savings Groups (CBSGs) where they can save their earnings, and lend them to group members for essentials like school fees and health care for their children.

Fariba’s story is typical. Prior to joining a CBSG in her Kabul neighborhood, she was isolated and completely dependent on her in-laws. Accompanying her mother-in-law to meetings, she blossomed. She began to speak up, and participate in the group’s decisions. She took out a loan to start a small business. Perhaps equally powerful, she found a vital social outlet. “The CBSG released me from seclusion,” she said.

Since its inception, Beyond the 11th has provided close to $1 Million in support for these life-changing programs.

I would be thrilled if you could donate. Any amount will help me reach my fundraising goal.

Thank you for your support – you’ll be with me every pedal of the way!

Beyond the Bike, a 3-day 260-mile bike ride from Ground Zero in NYC to Boston, is the signature fundraising event of Beyond the 11th.

Beyond the Bike 2019 will mark the 18th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, when co-founder Susan Retik’s husband was killed on the first plane to hit the World Trade Center. Together with Susan, we will ride in honor of all the victims and rescuers who lost their lives that day. But we will also ride in celebration of the countless acts of courage and humanity that have marked the decade since.

Beyond the Bike is so much more than just a bike ride. We begin at the memorial pools at the site of Ground Zero, make our way out of NYC through the rolling hills of CT eventually arriving back in Boston. The 3 days are physically challenging which makes the accomplishment so rewarding. But it’s the people who make the experience so memorable. The small community of riders (we cap it at 45), the incredible support team, and all of the volunteers along the way make this fundraiser the best thing you’ll do all year…

Beyond the 11th was founded nearly 20 years ago as an extraordinary response to unspeakable loss: Compassion.

Susan Retik was expecting her third child when the last thing she ever expected happened -- her husband David was killed on the first plane to hit the World Trade Center.  But Susan did not give in to grief.  Instead she launched Beyond the 11th, a foundation dedicated to uplifting the lives of Afghan widows -- among the poorest and most destitute in the world.

Today, the organization she co-founded has transformed the lives of thousands of widows -- and their children -- with life-saving education and job training programs.

Beyond the 11th transcends acts of hate with acts of humanity, acts of despair with acts of ingenuity, and acts of fear with acts of self-reliance.  Its embrace of Afghan widows - sisters across the world - is helping to spread peace hand to hand and heart to heart, one widow at a time.

"I believe education and economic stability are antidotes to despair and extremism.  By teaching Afghan women how to support themselves, we help unlock a world of better choices for them and their children - and that benefits us all."  -- Susan Retik

Where the Money Goes

The fundraising you do for Beyond the Bike has an immediate and powerful impact on the lives of Afghan widows.  Beyond the 11th partners with international aid organizations like CARE, and NGOs like Arzu and BPeace, to provide Afghan widows literacy classes and training in a variety of entrepreneurial ventures.  Graduates of our programs have started many life-sustaining businesses:

·      Raising and selling eggs in their villages

·      Managing dairy cows and selling the milk

·      Hand stitching regulation soccer balls for sale around the world

·      Creating one of a kind hand knotted rugs, distributed by Arzu

·      Investing in and managing Savings & Loans programs, where women lend to women for life's necessities such as education and healthcare

• anonymous donated $3,000.00 September 9, 2019
• cape cycle buddy donated $500.00 September 7, 2019 ... "260 miles of amazement-way to go!!"
• Kathleen Ciampa donated $100.00 September 8, 2019 ... "Great job Mary! "
• Kristen, Chuck and Lillie donated $100.00 September 8, 2019 ... "What a great event! You are amazing!"
• Carolyn Walker donated $100.00 September 5, 2019 ... "It's such an honor to support my friend and honor those that lost so much on 9/11. Ride like the wind Mary!"
• anonymous donated $50.00 September 5, 2019
• Kate Pilbeam donated $50.00 September 4, 2019 ... "Go Mary!"
• Fran Azzarto donated $50.00 September 4, 2019 ... "Love you"
• Marcella Leone donated $50.00 September 4, 2019
• Sunny Schettler donated $33.00 September 4, 2019 ... "11 for each day of riding because I'm amazed at how the transformative power of Love and support in the wake of 9/11"