For you, Boston

Yesterday my friend B and I took advantage of the stunning weather and went on an afternoon walk of Charles and Newbury Street. We were engrossed in a discussion of professional development, and the struggles of being in our early twenties. We stopped by the finish line of the Marathon and saw the throngs of people picking up their medals and reuniting with their families with such a look of accomplishment and joy. I thought to myself "There's no way I have the endurance- I barely finished a 5k last year, but wouldn't it be great to run a marathon some day." It was so inspiring to see the people who had just accomplished a battle of determination and endurance that we walked on Boylston Street from Dartmouth to Hereford and back, and then stopped to take some photos outside of Marathon Sports.

I don't know why, but we decided to turn and walk towards Newbury Street when suddenly the world stopped. We heard two loud booms, which sounded like cannons, and then saw people running. I was so confused, approaching terrified, but I just knew that I should keep walking. Police officers started running past me, and then an onslaught of police cars, EMS vehicles, and unmarked cars started whizzing by. We picked up the pace and walked to the Common as we frantically called our parents to let them know that we were all right, while trying not to cause a panic to those who may not have known yet.

It wasn't until this morning that it really sunk in just how lucky we really were. I was standing directly behind the flags moments before, where there is now footage of police ripping down the barricades to save spectators. I have photos of people sitting in bars that I can now recognize as the injured in news coverage. (Don't worry, I already sent the FBI everything.) I thank my lucky stars that I am safe, and my heart breaks for those who are not and their families.

Along with so many others, I've been trying to wrap my head around all of this, and just want to do something. Though there's a list of the ways to help on the websites, I want to do something more drastic. I want to do something to remember the lives that were lost and the perfect day that was ripped away. And so I've decided to dedicate the next year to training for the 2014 Boston Marathon. I'm sure I'm far from the only one - they just put together the One Fund Boston nonprofit to help those affected, and more information will come out in the following days.

But 364 days from now, I'll be running for the 177 injured and 3 killed yesterday. I don't care if I have to crawl over the finish line. Every morning run, evert blister, every toe nail that falls off will be my way of  remembering those individuals and the way that a perfect, inspirational day was taken from all of us in such a cruel and cowardly way. This is for you, Boston.

Women need to Lean In

**Before hopping on my soap box, I would like to take a moment to inform you that these views are only my own. They do not represent where I work or groups that I am involved in. We good? Okay, hopping on the soap box.**

Along with the majority of women my age, I just finished reading Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg. If you happen to not have heard the buzz surrounding this book and new way of thinking, I implore you to drop everything and buy this book, and to check out LeanIn.org.

The premise of this book is that "It is up to us to end the belief that 'Women can't do this, women can't be that.' Throwing up our hands and saying 'it can't be done' ensures that it will never be done." She encourages women to find where their true passions lie, and to Lean In.

This especially speaks to me right now as I observe the nine-month political marathon (or is it a sprint?) which is taking place as politicians jockey for who will become the next Mayor of Boston. As was noted in the Boston Globe this week, there is something seriously missing in this race - thus far there is not one woman. This is not my way of criticizing any of the current candidates - I think that a great field is taking place and that voters have excellent options, to the point that I am going to stay as far out of this race as possible. All I'm saying is that, thus far, all of the candidates are male.

The research of Dr. Jennifer Lawless of the Women and Politics Institute at American University gives us some clues on why this may be the case - women, even in the highest tiers of professional accomplishment, are substantially less likely than men to demonstrate ambition to seek elective office. Women are less likely to even think that they are qualified for office, are less likely to be recruited, and the gap between men and women's interest in running for the office has stayed stagnant for the past ten years, even as we have more Female Elected Role Models.

However understanding why there aren't more female candidates is different than accepting it. Programs such as Emerge Massachusetts and the UMass Boston program for Women in Politics and Public Policy are working diligently to change this, and more women are running.

But time is ticking, signatures to be on the ballot for Mayor are coming out soon, and I am anxiously awaiting a qualified woman to Lean In and take the leap, because we Boston women are waiting for you.