Run to raise awareness about STEM education for Latinas: It’s what Wendy Martinez would have wanted.

In honor of the United Nations International Women and Girls Day in Science on February 11, 2023, we invite you to celebrate the importance of advancing opportunities for females in STEM fields in tandem with the legacy of Wendy Martinez. Before her untimely death, Wendy Martinez was passionate about empowering young women and girls in the tech industry, making today an ideal day to honor her legacy. It is our pleasure to invite everyone connected to the LAYC community to participate in the Run for Wendy race on April 29, 2023 at 7:00 AM both virtually and in person in Singer Island, Florida.

The Run for Wendy race is organized by the Wendy Martinez Legacy Project, an organization established by friends and family after Wendy’s life was tragically taken while jogging through DC. The overall goal of this project is to honor her legacy by supporting causes that reflect Wendy’s beliefs. A large gap exists regarding opportunities for women in the STEM fields, and these statistics disproportionately affect women of color. The Wendy Martinez Legacy Project’s efforts to promote leadership skills, especially among Latinas, reflect a strong sense of community and female empowerment that we also work hard to embody at LAYC. In order to enhance equitable economic and scientific opportunities in the world, we must rally behind causes that directly advocate for innovations in gender equality in these realms. 

Wendy Martinez
completing a race

Wendy Martinez posing
with a medal.

LAYC has always been committed to uplifting the voices of our youth and ensuring they have the tools to succeed in every aspect of their lives. Our work in the DC & Maryland communities has connected us to countless causes we are proud to be affiliated with, including the Wendy Martinez Legacy Project which has supported our work over the past several years. Like the Legacy Project, we at LAYC strongly believe in the power of honoring those who have left us with positive examples. By reflecting Wendy Martinez’s philanthropy and earnest efforts to create opportunities for minorities, such as Latina women and girls, we encourage healthy ways of living and prospering. 

We invite you to attend the Run for Wendy race and/or to spread the word about a cause that empowers young Latinos to reach their full potential in leadership, advances STEM education, and emphasizes community building. This event is a great opportunity to support Latina youth specifically, and to make a larger statement on the safety and prosperity of the rights of women in whatever sphere of life they pursue. Please offer your support in any way you can to celebrate this cause and honor Wendy’s legacy!