Dear Friends and Family,
This September 11th will mark the 20th anniversary of a day none of us will ever forget.
To honor the occasion, Sumner and I will be participating in a 3 day, 260-mile bike ride from the north reflecting pool at the 9/11 memorial in NYC to Boston, benefitting Beyond the 11th. Beyond the 11th is a foundation that was started by two 9/11 widows from the Boston area to aid the more than 1 million widows of Afghanistan – among the poorest and most oppressed women in the world. In fact, when it comes to reproductive health, empowerment, and the labor market as reflected in the composite gender inequality index, Afghanistan ranks 168 out of out of 189 countries.
We are so inspired by the work of Beyond the 11th. Its founders responded to their own unspeakable loss by reaching out in sisterhood and compassion to teach Afghan widows marketable job skills so they may support themselves, educate their children, and live in dignity. 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 the programs have started many life-sustaining businesses.
Since its inception, Beyond the 11th has provided over $1 Million in support for these life-changing programs
Will you help us to help them? We would be thrilled if you would sponsor our ride. Any amount will help us reach our fundraising goal.
Thank you for your support.
Beyond the Bike 2021
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 2021 will mark the 20th 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…
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON BEYOND THE 11th GO TO WWW.BEYONDTHE11TH.ORG
Beyond the 11th was born out of the compassion we received after 9/11. In the midst of our own loss, we learned about the struggles faced by Afghan widows—limited access to education, few opportunities to earn an income, and little support to provide for their families. We recognized the contrast between the help we were given and the challenges they faced, and we chose to use our spotlight and our voices to help—just as so many had helped us. After more than two decades of serving Afghan widows, Beyond the 11th will be winding down at the end of 2026. This decision comes with both deep reflection and a steadfast commitment to lasting impact. Since 2003, our work has centered on empowerment—supporting widows in Afghanistan through job training, literacy, and economic development. In 2021, we partnered with Razia’s Ray of Hope to launch a dedicated widows program, and since then, we have funded it annually. Now, in our final chapter, we are committed to raising enough money to ensure this program can sustain itself for years to come. This program provides stipends to families of girls who attend the Zabuli Education Center (K–6 school in Deh’Subz) if their mother is widowed or the head of household. The support extends beyond the student to the entire family, ensuring stability and dignity for those most vulnerable.
Our goal is to endow this program for the future, so that widowed families will continue to receive ongoing support long after Beyond the 11th has closed its doors.
While this is the close of one chapter, it is the continuation of another. Together, we can carry forward the mission of hope, resilience, and opportunity for Afghan widows.