Beyond the 11th
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Beyond the 11th is a charitable foundation that supports widows in Afghanistan affected by war and terrorism. The organization makes grants to programs run by NGOs (non-governmental organizations) already working in the country, such as CARE, Women for Women International, and Arzu. These programs help Afghan widows become self-sufficient through job skills training, literacy classes and small business development.
The foundation was formed in 2003 by Susan Retik and Patti Quigley, two women who were widowed by the September 11th attacks. Both were pregnant at the time of their husbands' deaths and became close friends in the aftermath of their tragedies. Inspired by the outpouring of support they had each received from friends, family and strangers, the two women decided to they wanted to help widows in Afghanistan rebuild their lives after decades of war and oppression.
In May 2006, Retik and Quigley traveled to Kabul to meet the women they had been supporting in person. Quigley eventually stepped down from the organization to end her public role as a 9/11 widow, but she continues to focus on supporting Afghan widows and children through other projects.
[edit] Documentary Film
Quigley and Retik's work establishing Beyond the 11th and their trip to Afghanistan are the subject of the feature documentary Beyond Belief, directed by Beth Murphy. The film premiered at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival.
