TLDR: Next up, TCS NYC Marathon on November 3!
In 2015, feeling frustrated by the growing number of women being arrested and held in facilities with policies and interventions primarily designed for men, I joined the Women's Prison Association's Associate Board (formerly known as the Emerging Philanthropists).
In 2020, I became the Board’s first Chair and decided to join Team WPA in running the NYC Marathon that fall. (We all know how that year turned out and so the race was postponed until the next!)
In 2021, I spent 4 hours, 35 minutes, and 1second (that second kills me every time) running 26.2 miles through New York City in honor of the women at WPA who have endured so much and yet still persevere.
In 2023, I ran the Chicago Marathon to mark my final days as Chair of WPA’s Associate Board.
In 2024, I joined WPA's Board of Directors.
And on November 3, I'll once again run the NYC Marathon to support women redefining their lives in the face of injustice and incarceration.
Send me good vibes! Share your song suggestions! Text me words of encouragement and funny memes! If you plan to be in NYC on November 3, let me know so I can look out for you! I will take all the encouragement I can get!
Be sure to follow WPA on Instagram and Facebook to learn more about the incredible programs and services that counteract the challenges facing millions of Americans each day! And follow along with me as I train!
About WPA:
In New York City alone, $178 million is spent annually to incarcerate 320 women, disproportionately Black and brown. That’s over $500,000 to incarcerate one woman.
Instead of investing in trauma-informed therapy, employment resources, housing support, and health and substance abuse supports, millions of dollars are dedicated to the detention and incarceration of certain communities in the name of public safety. Yet not one of those communities is any safer. Despite their overwhelming responsibility as mothers and assumed role as caretakers of the entire community, systems-impacted women are not granted the same grace and investments as men.
Fighting for women impacted by incarceration is an uphill battle. But WPA remains committed to the challenge, as we have for the past 179 years.
