More than 300 women are coming together at Boston University this weekend to learn about self-defense in honor of Vanessa Marcotte, a graduate of BU.
Marcotte was killed while jogging in Princeton, Massachusetts in August 2016.
The foundation that bears her name is now aimed at making sure that doesn't happen to other women.
"Murder is rare, but assault isn’t. We knew we wanted to spread female safety.”
Every kick, every punch, and every drop of sweat is one step closer to a time when women can live without fear.
It's a mission spearheaded by the Vanessa T Marcotte Foundation.
Caroline Tocci and Ashley McNiff co-founded the foundation months after the death of Vanessa Marcotte, Tocci's cousin and McNiff's best friend.
U.S. & World
In 2016, the 27-year-old went for a jog near her family's Pinceton home and never returned.
Tocci and McNiff have turned tragedy into motivation.
Events like this class in Boston's Seaport are bringing women together to be active.
It's also promoting their next big event, Strike for Vanessa. It's a self-defense workshop on January 21 led by trainer and assault survivor Avital Zeisler.
The foundation uses events like this to raise money, including a 5K in Princeton on Vanessa's birthday, and, this year, a Boston Marathon team.
It's a big goal, fueled by a big inspiration.
“This foundation really helps her live on.”
The money they are raising is helping build partnerships in the community, including their recent team up with Girls Inc.
The self-defense workshop will be held Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Boston University. Click here for more information.
