People always ask me why I run, ride, swim and do anything to get my heart rate up. My husband says he will run with me, but only if someone is chasing us! For me, exercise is my drug of choice. It keeps me focused, calm and inspired. I especially love running with or for others!
I was recently lucky enough to be able to participate in the 13th annual MORE | SHAPE Half-Marathon and the first Women Run The World Relay and Mentorship Program. Running with more than 8,000 incredible and inspiring women, it combined everything I'm passionate about in one race--female empowerment, mentorship, entrepreneurship and exercise!
I was proud to run for two women leaders of the future; my teammate, Angie Chen, an inspiring 17-year-old who attends the Bronx High School of Science and Lynn Le, showcased on #QuitYourDayJob and Founder of Society Nine, a clothing company made for women of all shapes and backgrounds. I was proud to don fitness gear from Society Nine on the day of the race and am constantly inspired by female entrepreneurs like Lynn and hard-working young women like Angie.
The race, presented by SHAPE in partnership with the New York Road Runners (NYRR) is one of the largest women's-only half-marathons in the country. Angie is part of Run for the Future, a program that provides a fun, free way for New York City high school girls to get fit, develop leadership skills, and earn money for college! Working together, these girls meet weekly and are training to run a 5K race at the end of the summer. Along the way, they'll have access to special seminars on health, nutrition, and fitness, and work together on local projects to give back to the community, making friends along the way. It also provides $1,500 scholarships to participants. Angie has a passion for microeconomics and wants to pursue a career in business (my kinda girl!). She told me she loves running with the NYRR because it helps her clear her head, brings a sense of community, and gives her a feeling of accomplishment every time she logs another mile.
Through the #WomenRunTheWorld Relay and Mentorship Program, 13 of us were paired with a mentee, and each team ran one mile together through Central Park to complete the race. We ran alongside great girls like Angie, and served as mentors with women across many industries, including singer/songwriter Sara Bareilles; actress and star of Orange is the New Black Danielle Brooks; Padma Lakshmi, Host of Bravo's Top Chef; and President of the WNBA, Lisa Borders. The race was hosted by Natalie Morales, TODAY show News Anchor and Third-Hour Co-Host; Erica Hill, NBC News' Anchor and National Correspondent; and Carolyn Manno, NBC Olympics Host.
Though it was a fun day of making new friends, like Angie, and exercising to support a good cause, I couldn't help but think about all the reasons why women need to support other women and the struggles we still face. According to a 2015 study by LeanIn.Org and McKinsey & Co, women represent just 17 percent of C-suite positions (and only nine percent in tech). We're also 15 percent less likely than men to be promoted to the next level. To get ahead, we need to be each other's advocates. It's a two-way street--women in leadership positions need to offer guidance and seek mentees, and younger women need to seek mentors early in their careers who will foster their growth and offer encouragement when times are tough. I've seen all the good that mentors can do for young women through the Dell Women's Entrepreneur Network.
I'm also lucky to work for a company that supports such a cause. Dell has had a history of backing sporting events, like the Professional Golf Association's World Golf Championships-Match Play and Dell customer, Williams Formula 1. Last March, The International Federation of PGA Tours and Dell announced a multi-year agreement making Dell the title sponsor of the World Golf Championships-Match Play beginning in 2016 and running through 2019. Williams has worked with Dell since 2005, and the two teams regularly meet to discuss IT strategy and roadmaps.
We have to run for each other. We have to run for ourselves. We have to run for Angie and Lynn. As I continue to run and advocate for the #everydayathlete, I am running for you! Now I'm looking forward to Global Running Day on June 1, when NYRR will host the first-ever Million Kid Run to encourage children of all age to hit the pavement. Let's celebrate the joys of running and get people moving!