Patti Quigley to Run Boston Marathon in Support of Afghan Girls

Patti Quigley, Wellesley resident, is running the 2016 Boston Marathon to raise funds and awareness for Razia’s Ray of Hope, a foundation that educates girls in Afghanistan. Ms. Quigley, whose husband Patrick was killed on September 11, 2001, is the foundation’s Executive Director. Prior to securing an official race number through the Town of Wellesley, Ms. Quigley had never run more than five miles.

“I am running to raise funds to support our school because I believe in the power of education. I detest the gutless intimidation of terrorism. And I know firsthand that what happens halfway around the world can directly impact our daily lives,” said Ms. Quigley.

Ms. Quigley’s decision to run in the marathon grew out of frustration with large grant organizations. Since 2008, Razia’s Ray of Hope has had enormous support from individuals and family foundations—but is regularly denied the sustaining support of large grants. “For years, large grant foundations have told us we're too small; that they only fund secondary schools; that our foundation should be based in Afghanistan. For eight years we have provided many hundreds of girls with exemplary, free education in a well-equipped facility; provided uniforms, coats, and shoes; hired the best teachers; kept attendance rates high; worked closely with the Afghan Ministry of Education; and gained support from the conservative local community and village elders—yet none of our successes have been enough to sway a large grant organization,” Ms. Quigley said.

In late December, Ms. Quigley went jogging to work through a recent round of frustration. During the run, she decided to try something different. By the time she returned home, she had determined to run in the Boston Marathon if she could secure an official number, which she was able to do through Wellesley’s program for local nonprofits. Ms. Quigley’s initial goal was to raise $25,000 for the Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation. But she’s already raised over $35,000, with over a month to go. “The amount of support we’ve received has been heartwarming,” she said. “But our students still need more help. Every dollar donated will go straight to the girls at the Zabuli Education Center.”

Ms. Quigley asks supporters to make a donation and spread word on social media with the hashtag #RunForRazia. Her fundraising progress can be tracked at www.raziasrayofhope.org/donate.html.

Razia’s Ray of Hope Foundation has received international accolades for its critical impact in one of the world’s most distressed and volatile countries. Under the leadership of humanitarian and CCN Hero Razia Jan, the Zabuli Education Center, an all-girls K-12 school in Deh’Subz, Afghanistan, provides more than 500 students the opportunities to learn and grow in a safe, nurturing environment, empowering girls through education and resources so that they may work toward brighter futures in their own villages and beyond. For more information about the organization or to support Ms. Quigley’s run, visit www.raziasrayofhope.org.