The Medstar Baltimore Women's Classic 5K PRESENTED BY NEW BALANCE benefits NONPROFITS RUN BY WOMEN, FOR WOMEN.

The House of Ruth Maryland leads the fight to end violence against women and their children by confronting the attitudes, behaviors and systems that perpetuate it, and by providing victims with the services necessary to rebuild their lives safely and free of fear.

House of Ruth Maryland was founded in May of 1977 by a coalition of women’s organizations, religious groups, service providers, and elected officials to provide a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their children. In November of 1977 we opened Baltimore’s first crisis shelter for these victims in a row house on North Calvert Street. The shelter was staffed by one paid staffed person and a voluntary Board of Directors.

In November 1998 a new 84-bed shelter and 6 apartment transitional housing, featuring expanded services and programs, opened. The new shelter has a holistic health and wellness program, including an on-site health clinic staffed by the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

Today, House of Ruth Maryland is recognized as one of the nation’s most comprehensive domestic violence centers and has a staff of more than ninety. Our voluntary leadership consists of a thirty-member Board of Directors and an Advisory Committee.

This year, the Baltimore Women’s Classic 5K is also proud to support Soles for Souls.

Soles for Souls is a 501(3)(c) that primarily supports women who have experienced pregnancy loss due to miscarriage. We use movement, sound and collaboration as the three pillars of healing. 

For more information about Soles for Souls and their work in the community, check out their Instagram.