Two Women Who Are Breaking the Cycle Through Running

A group of runners decided to raise money for buildOn while training for the 2013 ING New York City Marathon. But after Hurricane Sandy, the marathon was canceled. That didn’t deter the runner’s spirits; many decided to run their own marathon.

As we celebrate women who are Breaking the Cycle through empowerment, we turn the spotlight on two women with lots of determination: one who honored her mother by planning her own, sentimental marathon – and another who supports women professionally in her own community.

Lisa Schneider, Social Media Strategist and Coach, Like Marketing

At age 46, Lisa Schneider decided to run her first marathon this year in honor of her mother, who passed away at 46.

After the marathon was canceled, Lisa made the decision to create her own marathon. “My mother got me into running and was always so supportive of anything I ever wanted to do,” Lisa said. “I just knew if this is the time to do it, this was the time.”

Lisa created a route that took her through Darien, Conn., where she grew up, her current home in Wilton, Conn., and through two other towns in Connecticut. She posted the route on Facebook, so her friends could follow her path, and she never found herself alone for more than five miles. Two childhood friends went ahead of her and announced to people, “There’s a woman coming. She’s running her own marathon. When she runs by cheer her name, Lisa!” Lisa’s friends and family were with her every step of the way – all the way to the toilet paper finish line hanging by her drive-through.

Liya Magdeeva, Equity Research Analyst at GE Asset Management

“Growing up in Uzbekistan before coming to the U.S. has given me a strong appreciation for providing people with the right tools and opportunities to flourish,” Liya said. “Empowering women and education globally is important to me.”

Raising money through sponsors to build a school in a developing country by running the marathon (she ran laps around Central Park on race day) is just one of the many ways Liya has been supporting women with buildOn and through her employer, GE. Four years ago, Liya helped raise money for buildOn’s Adult Education Programs as part of her involvement with GE’s Women’s Network, which she participates in locally and within the broader company.

The group focuses on career enhancement and networking for women within GE by hosting networking events for employees to meet senior leaders in the company, and by leading service projects within the community. Liya was recently involved in a two-day career workshop for women at a public center in Stamford, Conn. – which included mock job interviews and a resume writing workshop. “Many of them were from other countries, and had interesting questions: ‘How do we start? Where do we go?’”

The money Lisa and Liya raised will help pay for a school that will educate children, parents and grandparents for generations to come. Inspired? Make a pledge to change the world on our Breaking the Cycle campaign page today!