Dear Friend,

I truly hope you will support me as I commemorate the 20th anniversary of September 11th. 

With all that is happening in the country right now, the issues of the world and the events of 9/11 can feel distant and faded. But honoring this milestone and caring for our global citizens may be more important than ever.

I am participating in Beyond the Bike — a very special bike ride from Ground Zero to Boston to benefit the phenomenal organization, Beyond the 11th. The funds we raise will directly support vulnerable widows in Afghanistan — a population that was pushed out of the spotlight years ago and remains deeply disenfranchised.

Beyond the 11th began as a 9/11 widow's remarkable response to unspeakable loss. Shortly after Susan Retik’s husband David was killed on the first plane to hit the World Trade Center, my good friend opened her heart to Afghan widows. And her efforts have not stopped in the two decades since. 

Susan’s peers in Afghanistan did not receive the initial outpouring of love and support that embraced her here in the United States. In fact, Afghan widows lose all social standing and have no insurance or safety net. 85% of these women are illiterate. Beyond the 11th has helped thousands of these forgotten women learn job skills so that they can support their families and educate their children—the dream of mothers everywhere. 

The case for championing women’s rights in Afghanistan cannot be overstated. According to Time magazine (Dec. 8, 2018), Afghanistan still ranks as the worst place in the world to be a woman. After decades of war, terrorism, and insurgency, women and children still suffer disproportionately. 

But there is good news to report. While the needs are enormous, the programs that Beyond the 11th invests in are working. Since 2003, Beyond the 11th has made over $1,000,000 in grants that directly assist Afghan widows in developing sustainable livelihoods.

This September, I'm one of nearly 40 cyclists who will spend three days riding from Ground Zero in New York City to Boston. We'll ride about 90 miles a day, ending our journey at Susan’s home in Needham, MA. Together, we will ride in honor of all the victims and rescuers who lost their lives that day. But we will also ride to celebrate the countless acts of courage and humanity that have, time and again, marked the past 20 years.

So what can you do?

I would be honored and grateful if you would support me with a donation. Your gift is tax deductible and could be doubled if your company has a matching gift program.

Thank you for being a part of this amazing journey!

Your contribution will go far… and will make every mile all the more meaningful.

Beyond the 11th: Choosing Compassion Over Hate

How It Began

On September 11, 2001, Susan Retik and Patti Quigley both lost their husbands in the terrorist attacks. Susan was seven months pregnant with her third child. Patti was eight months pregnant with her second.

Both received an outpouring of support—meals, childcare, financial help, compassion. But when they saw images of Afghan widows on the news, they were struck by a devastating contrast.

These women had also lost their husbands to terrorism and war, but they had nothing. No safety net. No rights. No way to feed their children.

In 2003, Susan and Patti founded Beyond the 11th—choosing compassion over hate. Their radical response: help widows in the very country where the 9/11 hijackers trained.

What began as Susan's simple goal—help just one—has since reached over 10,000 widows and their children.

Who We Serve

Afghanistan has an estimated 2 to 2.5 million widows—one of the highest numbers anywhere in the world. Decades of war, combined with strict cultural and religious restrictions, have left widows with virtually no rights.

Without a husband, Afghan women lose:

• The right to work or leave home without a male guardian
• Access to education and healthcare
• Any means of supporting their children
• Safety and security

Most widows have five children on average and little or no education. When their husbands die, they're left with no income, no safety net, and almost no options for survival.

Yet despite these impossible circumstances, Afghan widows remain remarkably determined. They carry the full responsibility of feeding their children and holding their families together.

Our Widows Program

In 2021, Beyond the 11th partnered with Razia's Ray of Hope to create a dedicated widows program at the Zabuli Education Center, a K–6 girls school in Deh'Subz, Afghanistan.

Here's how it works: Any girl attending the school whose mother is widowed or serving as head of household automatically receives a monthly stipend for her entire family.

This support provides:

• Food and basic necessities
• Medicine and healthcare
• Clothing and shelter
• The ability to keep daughters in school instead of forced marriage
• Protection from boys having to work to support the family

Why We're Closing—And Why the Mission Must Continue

After more than two decades of serving Afghan widows, Beyond the 11th will wind down at the end of 2026. This decision comes with deep reflection and a steadfast commitment to lasting impact.

As Susan says: "I have the luxury of turning the page. The widows we serve don't."

That's why our final goal is to raise $3 million to endow the widows program so it can sustain itself forever—ensuring that widowed families will continue to receive support long after Beyond the 11th closes its doors.

The Impact of Your Gift

Since 2003, Beyond the 11th has made a grant every single year, touching the lives of thousands of Afghan widows and their families. That's two decades of job training, literacy programs, and economic development.

Now, in our final chapter, every dollar raised goes toward ensuring this work continues for generations to come.

This is more than charity. It's a legacy of dignity, survival, and hope.

• Gary Durso donated $50.00 September 8, 2021