SWIB Races for the Cure

Stern Women In Business offers women at Stern opportunities for professional development as well as a safe space within which to explore the unique challenges that women face in the workforce. However, SWIB's mission extends beyond the Stern community and the job-related concerns that consume so much of our consciousness as Business School students. SWIB's initiatives include mentorship programs that connect Stern women with either undergraduate NYU students (an opportunity to offer advise and expertise) or professionals across NYC (an opportunity to learn from the expertise of others); partnerships with women's organizations throughout the city; and philanthropic contributions to women's causes. When you become a member of SWIB, you become a part of a far-reaching network of women.

In keeping with this comprehensive mission, SWIB women kicked off the year by participating in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. When asked about this SWIB tradition, co-president Nicole Matchett said, "An important component of SWIB's mission is our active community involvement, and taking part in a philanthropic activity like Race for the Cure is one of the many ways we try to bring our members together. The race is always a great way to get the group together at the beginning of the school year and to meet members of the incoming class."

It was an overcast day (and some of us walked the third mile in a light shower), but the commitment of the race's 21,000 participants was contagious. Emily Cangie, an MBA1 and member of the SWIB team, "was overwhelmed by the sea of pink representing a commitment to finding a cure for breast cancer. One of the reasons that I joined SWIB was because we have the ability to be a powerful support group for issues affecting women. It really hit home as I ran my last mile next to a woman who is currently undergoing chemo and had no hair."

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure. The parent foundation, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, was founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinkler in memory of her sister Susan. The foundation is credited with launching the global breast cancer movement, and has invested over $1.5B over the past 25 years in the fight against breast cancer in the form of grants to community-based breast health programs, hospitals, local researchers, breast cancer conferences and education programs.

The annual NYC race is part of an international series of 5K runs/walks; 136 races are held each year, involving over 1.3 million participants. The mission of the series is to raise funds and awareness, to celebrate women who have won their battle against the illness, and to honor women who did not. Many of the walkers wear t-shirts or carry signs honoring a loved one or voicing their support of the cause. It is a moving experience, to say the least, and remains one of the most important events in which SWIB participates during the year.

Fundraising for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure continues through October 31st, towards a $6 million goal. To make a donation, visit www.komennyc.org and click on "Donate."

Fun fact: at the inaugural New York City race in 1991, Komen Greater NYC distributed pink ribbons to participating breast cancer survivors, and it was later that year that the pink ribbon was adopted as the symbol for breast cancer awareness.