Beyond the 11th

Susan Retik was 33 when her husband David was killed in the Sept. 11 attacks. After his death, she helped found an organization, @Beyondthe11th, that empowers widows in Afghanistan. wbur.fm/3C5Vreb

Take a listen to Beyond the 11th's co-founder, Susan Retik, reflecting on20 years since 9/11 wbur.org/cognoscenti/20…

During this complex and difficult time, our hearts and our every thought are with the people of Afghanistan. We are in contact with our partners on the ground and will continue to do all we can to monitor and respond to the needs of the women we serve.

Meet a partner! Razia’s Ray of Hope, founded by humanitarian Razia Jan, provides exemplary, free education to more than 480 girls in grades K-12 at the Zabuli Education Center in Deh’Subz, Afghanistan.

Meet a partner! CARE International. Beyond the 11th funds projects that directly address CARE’s long-term strategy of helping Afghan women develop sustainable livelihoods through skills training, employment opportunities, and the establishment of links with local markets.

Zanabad, the “city of women,” a rocky hill just outside of Kabul, Afghanistan. Matriarch Bibi ul-Zuqia settled on Zanabad in the 1990s. Since, Zanabad has become home to women seeking independence from their oppressive society. It is known today as Afghanistan’s “hill of widows.”

Afghanistan’s Education Ministry has barred schoolgirls older than 12 from singing at public events. Singing teachers who are men will not be allowed to teach schoolgirls. Girls will be able to sing only at events attended “100% by women.”

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. While the needs are great, our programs are working.

Today marks 6 months until the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. Last night was the first meeting for Beyond the Bike 2021! It was so wonderful to see both old and new faces, and we look forward to begin (or continue!) training.

Women, especially widows, in Afghanistan experience poverty and discrimination after decades of war.

We mourn the deaths of Mursal Hakimi, Sadia, and Shanaz, three Afghan women who were assassinated on their way home from work on Tuesday. Since 2018, more than 30 media workers and journalists have been murdered in Afghanistan. nytimes.com/2021/03/02/wor…

All 40 spots for the 3 day bike ride from New York to Boston have been filled! Today we look back at some of the moments we’ve shared as part of the Beyond the Bike community. Through city, hills, early wake-ups, and food stops, we support each other with joy and humor.

Beyond the Bike is our largest fundraising event. This September, we will mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11 by completing a 3 day ride cycling from Ground Zero in New York back to Boston. Click the link in our bio to learn more and donate!

Years of war and turmoil have resulted in the continued oppression of roughly 2 million Afghan widows. These widows face many obstacles in securing homes.

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Unbelievable!

CARE is lucky to have you!

Allowing the Taliban at the negotiating table - but not including women - assures the destruction of progress. We must not be silent! nytimes.com/2019/03/22/sun…

Please take a moment to watch Susan Retik's Ted Talk on the Power of Small Choices and why she co-founded Beyond the 11th after her husband was killed on 9/11 youtube.com/watch?v=CBYFaL…