What began as a personal response to the recent election has transformed into a nationwide movement, thanks to the determination of one remarkable woman. In the wake of the election, 31-year-old Maria Thompson felt an overwhelming urge to take action. As the new year approached and news of the Women’s March on Washington spread, she reflected on her aspirations for the coming year and decided to turn them into reality.
“This was my moment,” Thompson stated. “I needed to make a difference.”
Her plan? To run an incredible 240 miles from New York City to Washington, DC, all while raising funds for a vital organization—Planned Parenthood. When three of her friends expressed their desire to join, Thompson founded the group “Four Women Run for All Women,” setting an ambitious fundraising goal of $44,000 in tribute to Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States.
Initially, Thompson felt daunted by the challenge ahead. Despite her background in running and her experience with other social causes, this endeavor was unlike anything she had attempted before. “I wondered which would be tougher, the running or the fundraising,” she admitted. When her mother generously donated $200, she assumed that would be the largest contribution. However, she remained undeterred. “Even if we raised $500, the important thing was that we were taking action.”
And take action they did. By the eighth day of their journey, they surpassed their initial goal, ultimately raising over $102,000 for the nonprofit organization. Thompson’s decision to partner with Planned Parenthood was strategic; she understood the significance of the organization during a time when its funding was under threat from the new administration. Her hope was to inspire others to take similar steps.
Thompson’s instincts proved correct. What began as a group of four runners rapidly expanded to nearly 700 individuals eager to join the effort. While the original plan was for the four women to run on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and arrive in Washington by Inauguration Day, the growing interest made logistics a challenge. Consequently, Thompson decided to convert the run into a relay format, allowing anyone to participate in a 4-mile segment of the route.
As word spread, the dynamics of the run evolved. Instead of the four women running continuously with Thompson’s boyfriend, Jake, providing support in a van, they now had more participants allowing for breaks, proper meals, and even the luxury of showers along the way. A generous woman in Philadelphia offered her home, providing sandwiches, soup, and fresh towels for the weary runners. “I’ve never seen such kindness from a stranger,” Thompson remarked, taken aback by the warm hospitality.
The donations didn’t stop there. Every supply—from transportation to meals—was generously provided by supportive individuals met along the route. There were even volunteers who showed up at dawn to offer coffee and encouragement, while others greeted them with grilled chicken and quinoa salad during the day. By the end of the journey, they had so much leftover food that Thompson ensured it was donated to a local homeless shelter.
Despite the uplifting spirit of the journey, it was also a grueling experience. The women took turns resting in a cramped van, struggling to find comfortable positions between running stints. “I knew it would be tough,” Thompson acknowledged. “But you can’t really prepare for something like this in just two weeks.”
As they pushed through Delaware, after an exhausting 12-mile stretch, they spotted a crowd of women cheering them on, including a pregnant woman who joined them for part of the run. “That’s the kind of support that keeps you going,” Thompson said. Entering Maryland, the Baltimore Police Department showed their solidarity by providing an escort through the city.
One of Thompson’s favorite moments came as they rolled into Philadelphia, greeted by a large, enthusiastic crowd. With music playing and chants echoing, over 250 people joined them for the final miles of their journey.
After three days of running, the women finally arrived in front of the Capitol Building early on Saturday morning. Following a well-deserved rest, they attended the Women’s March, overwhelmed by the magnitude of the event. “It was exhilarating to be part of something so significant,” Thompson recalled.
Thompson’s connection to Planned Parenthood runs deep, stemming from a personal experience in high school when she and a friend sought help after a traumatic incident. “Planned Parenthood has always been a crucial resource,” she explained. Her frustration with efforts to defund the organization is rooted in the desire for women to have autonomy over their own bodies. “As a runner, my body is my instrument,” she emphasized.
Inspired by her journey, other women across the country are organizing similar runs. Thompson is advising on events planned in Chicago and from San Francisco to Los Angeles, encouraging women to channel their passion into action. “It’s important for people to know their voices matter,” she said.
To keep her movement alive, Thompson is developing a website and maintaining the momentum of her cause. You can follow “Four Women Run for All Women” on social media, and donations are still being accepted through her GoFundMe campaign until February 1. If you’re keen to learn more about this inspiring work, check out this blog post for additional insights. Whether it’s running or another form of activism, Thompson urges everyone to find their way to take action.