 | | Darlene with Prize Bike from Seattle MINI |
Meet Cycle the WAVE's 2014 Top Fundraiser, Darlene Iskra!
Meet Darlene Iskra, Cycle the WAVE's 2014 top fundraiser! Darlene is a second time rider (last year with the fabulous Lycra Ladies) and a big WAVE supporter raising more than $4500 this year. For more about what motivates her to ride like a girl, read on...
Darlene is a retired naval officer, and a pioneer in several areas of Naval history, the most impressive being that in 1990 she took command of the salvage ship USS Opportune becoming the first woman in the Navy to command a commissioned vessel. After achieving that, Darlene looked to other things that would fulfill her need for setting and attaining a goal and many were fitness related - finishing the 4.4 mile Great Chesapeake Bay Swim; at age 50 running her first marathon at Disney World in Orlando (raising funds for Train to End Stroke); riding several 100 mile century rides and the 180 mile 2-day Tour de Canal. The highlight was a 360 mile bike ride from her home town of College Park, MD to Homer City, PA. WHEW!
Darlene moved to Washington State in 2010 wanting to get back to the west coast. In 2012 she turned 60 and celebrated by trekking in Nepal. Still looking for a challenge, she jumped at the chance to ride Cycle the WAVE in 2013. Darlene focused on fundraising for what she believes is a much needed endeavor: ending domestic and other violence against women. She has been a staunch advocate for women in the military since before her retirement in 2000, pursued her Ph.D. in sociology of the military combined with gender, work and family to become an expert in the field of women in the military. The ongoing and unacceptable violence against women in the military and the civilian sector is one of her most passionate issues. What Darlene loves about WAVE is it combines physical exercise with her passion to empower women.
THANK YOU, Darlene and See You in 2015!
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 | | Pedaling for a Better World |
Team CHAI Leads the Pack!
As told by Randy Simon, Team CHAI Captain
I was invited by a cyclist friend to participate in the 2011 Cycle the WAVE. It was an easy sell - Biking+Women+Raising Awareness about Domestic Violence+Raising Funds for Organizations Working on Domestic Violence=a Ride and Mission I could easily support.
Team CHAI was born in 2013 as I shared my love and enthusiasm for CtW and TWF with friends. We needed a name to symbolize who we are and why we raise funds for CtW. Here is the story of Team CHAI.
In December 2012, in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, I was invited to participate in a discussion of educators, parents, and activists to voice our frustration and sadness and to come up with concrete steps to prevent and reduce gun violence. My friend came up with CHAI (Come Home Alive Initiative). Why Chai? Chai is a warm cup of tea symbolizing the comfort and safety of home. Chai is also a Hebrew word meaning "alive" or "living".
Team CHAI is non-competitive, open to beginners or racers, all ages, girls, women, and men who love to pedal to make the world a better place.
We are very proud that we were the top fundraiser, raising over $5500 for this year's Cycle the WAVE! We are already planning our fundraising efforts for the 2015 Cycle the WAVE. We also challenge other teams to take us on, as our ultimate goal is to raise funds to reduce and prevent violence against women everywhere.
It doesn't matter how you pronounce CHAI or what it means to you. Please join us at Cycle the WAVE and help everyone everywhere Come Home Alive. THANK YOU, Team CHAI and See You in 2015! |
