Running for Rights: Stuyvesant Hosts Its Eleventh Annual International Women’s Day Run

Stuyvesant’s 11th annual International Women’s Day (IWD) Run took place on March 24, 25, and 28, continuing one of Stuyvesant’s newest and most popular traditions. Celebrated globally on March 8, IWD marks a celebration of championing women’s rights. “The day also marks a call to action to close the gender disparity and to raise awareness of the persistent issues that plague women globally every day,” according to the Stuyvesant International Women’s Day Run website. To support this cause, students and staff participated in this run and pledged their support for women’s rights by running one to two miles along the Hudson River. The run was an amazing chance for the Stuyvesant community to come together to support gender equality and make great memories, as well as to raise funds for an important cause.

The three main organizers of the run—seniors Honora Muratori, Zaynab Anwar, and Imene Zarouri—were chosen by the co-heads of last year's run and aimed to drive home the message of the run by supporting the nurse’s office and its need for more feminine hygiene products in school. “This year we decided to raise money directly to fund the nurse’s office so they can buy good quality feminine hygiene products,” Anwar explained. “We were inspired to help our own Stuy community.” Not all Stuyvesant bathrooms are constantly stocked with feminine hygiene products, nor is the nurse’s office, which can be inconvenient for students in need. Donating directly to the nurses’ office was a change from previous years; donations from previous years were for outside organizations, such as Every Mother Counts, a maternal health organization.

Supporting a cause that directly affects students helped foster a sense of purpose and community, as the impact of participating in the run was more concrete. “When I talked to people about the funds going to the nurse’s office, they were excited because it’s something super tangible. People can name the nurses and they know how hard they work. I think it made people feel that if they were going to buy something it was really worth it,” Muratori shared. In the end, the run raised an estimated $1,000, which will have a significant impact on the nurse’s office’s ability to supply girls with the necessary feminine products. 

Similarly, the run reminded many of the struggles that women have gone through and still go through today. “I see it as a day to recognize and celebrate women. From their accomplishments to journeys to struggles, I think there is a lot to think about. I think having a clear cause behind the event gets a message across which spreads more recognition in a way,” sophomore Amani Kaushal added.

For the first time in the run’s history, students fundraised by selling not only IWD merchandise but also secondhand clothing, most of which was donated by the Stuyvesant community. “80 percent of the stuff was donated from people at the school,” Muratori shared. “One girl bought a dress and then put it on right afterwards and wore it for the rest of the day, so I was glad that it was able to be a mutually beneficial exchange.” Small interactions like these are part of what makes the run such a special part of Stuyvesant’s culture.

Students were also able to enjoy complimentary chocolate milk, vegan bars, and electrolyte powder from sponsors The American Dairy Association, Mezcla, and Nuun, respectively. “[The sponsors were] really amazing, not just because it meant we would have something for the run, but it felt like these people read about our cause, heard what I was saying, and wanted to be a part of this thing. [It] seems isolated to Stuyvesant but is something people should care about,” Muratori shared.

Though some sponsors are recurring, when looking for others, the run’s organizers thought about what would be convenient to students after they run. “We usually look for electrolyte brand companies or stuff that people can actually use after they've run,” Anwar added. On a larger scale, however, the organizers contacted a wide range of companies, cold-emailing many brands, in order to increase their chances of sponsorship. “For the granola bars, starting in the fall we have a big list of sponsors, and we try to target smaller businesses. We send out a lot of emails, but most people don’t respond to us,” Anwar also shared.

Tables with food, drink, and merchandise were run by student volunteers, most of whom are on one of Stuyvesant’s track teams. “I wanted to volunteer to support my friends on the track team and the Stuy community,” sophomore Anoushka Shah said in an email interview. “The Women’s Day Run was really fun to see everyone come together!” she added.

For the organizers, such great student turnout was rewarding. “[I loved] seeing everyone come, especially on Monday when it was raining. I was out at the mile mark on Monday, and a couple of people came all the way. They did two miles instead of one mile. I really appreciate dedication like that to running for women’s rights and benefitting our community,” Anwar said.

For many students, running was also a great way to spend some time with their friends at the end of the hectic month that is March at Stuyvesant, especially as the days begin to become a little warmer and longer. “I really like how the International Women’s Day is kind of when spring is starting to come out,” sophomore Isabel Cho said. “I really wanted to just go outside with friends [...] I think the warmer weather just livens up the mood because we were able to just skip around the park and skip on the boardwalk to the pier [...] I thought that was just really fun, seeing people have genuine fun.”

In addition, many teachers—there is a full list on the IWR website—supported the event and encouraged their students to attend by offering extra credit. “[Extra credit] was not my priority, but I do know people that did it for the extra credit,” sophomore Anya Heller said. Many students who wouldn’t have participated in the run without extra points were able to enjoy it, highlighting the benefit of incentivizing students with extra credit. “I think those same people, once they were outside and actually running, they were happy to be there,” Heller added.

Though the run was relaxed, students were also given the opportunity to participate in a race on Friday, a brand-new addition to the 11-year tradition. The races were held on March 28 and were divided into three sections: the freshman and sophomore race from 4:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., the junior and senior race from 4:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the track team race from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the only one that members of either track team could participate in. “I think [the race is] a really cool concept. I think that’s something that I would look forward to seeing implemented in future years, because there were a lot of people really excited about that, especially on sports teams,” Muratori said.

Even if they hadn’t raced, finishing the run gave many students a sense of accomplishment and pride, as they had participated in something to support a good cause. “It felt good to cross the finish line. It's kind of rewarding. I would definitely encourage [future students] to do it,” Kaushal added.

Though going on a one or two mile run may seem like it won’t make a difference for women’s rights, it is a meaningful step toward raising awareness and driving important changes for women’s rights. It sends the message that students—and really, members of the entire Stuyvesant community—care. Muratori explained, “Going for a mile run isn’t going to change the bad things that are happening right now in the country or in the world but I think that it does matter. To me, it makes me feel better that people do care and do recognize that there’s something worth fighting for.” Even small actions, such as participating in this run, can inspire a larger commitment toward equality, and every “step” brings us closer as a school. So whether you walked for a mile or sprinted for two, your contribution made an impact, as small as it might look. And if you couldn’t make it, go to the 12th annual IWR Run next March—you will be making a difference!