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

To honor the occasion, I will be riding in a 3-day, 260-mile fundraiser to benefit Beyond the 11th, a foundation started by two 9/11 widows from the Boston area to aid the widows of Afghanistan – among the poorest and most oppressed women in the world.

I am so inspired by the work of Beyond the 11th. In response to their own unspeakable loss, its founders reached out in sisterhood and compassion to train Afghan widows in the essential jobs skills they need to become self-reliant. 

Programs supported by Beyond the 11th teach these vulnerable women how to run small businesses to generate income. And 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 $1,500.00 September 14, 2019
• Elizabeth Holden donated $150.00 September 11, 2019 ... "Way to go, Sue Gelber!"
• Debbie DeSantis donated $100.00 September 11, 2019
• Marcee donated $100.00 September 8, 2019 ... "You inspire me! What a great cause!"
• Bill & Kelly donated $100.00 September 8, 2019 ... "So impressed, Sue!! Such an accomplishment for such a worthy cause!!"
• Peiman and Karin donated $100.00 August 31, 2019 ... "Go get them Sue!!"
• The Cadigan Sisters donated $100.00 August 31, 2019 ... "Way to go Sue. We are so proud of you!"
• Katherine Rooks donated $100.00 August 30, 2019
• Katie & Mike MacPhail donated $50.00 September 7, 2019 ... "Keep the round side down! 💕 Good work! "
• Julie Parker donated $50.00 September 7, 2019 ... "Go, Sue!"
• Paula Muir donated $50.00 September 7, 2019 ... "Thank you for making a difference in the world! Go Sue & Team!"
• Julie Vick donated $50.00 September 1, 2019
• Sally and Mark Miller donated $50.00 September 1, 2019
• R.L. Maizes donated $50.00 August 30, 2019
• Beth O'Shaughnessy Kane donated $25.00 September 11, 2019
• Peggy donated $20.00 September 2, 2019 ... "I wondered where you disappeared to and this may be a clue!"
• Sally Miller donated $5.00 August 31, 2019