Senator Hassan Recognizes Renée Blacken of Bethlehem as August’s Granite Stater of the Month

Senator Hassan Recognizes Renée Blacken of Bethlehem as August's Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized Renée Blacken of Bethlehem as August's Granite Stater of the Month for completing a historic solo row across the Atlantic Ocean and using the journey to support trauma recovery programs in northern New Hampshire.

On January 24, Renée departed from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands as part of the Atlantic Dash. Over the next 65 days, she rowed 3,200 miles across the Atlantic before reaching Antigua in the Caribbean. The crossing made Renée the first American and first solo female to complete the Atlantic Dash, as well as the oldest American woman to complete a solo Atlantic row.

Renée used the expedition to bring greater attention and resources to Outdoor Adventuring for Good, a nonprofit that she founded to help make trauma recovery programs more accessible in northern New Hampshire. Her organization raises funds for programs that integrate mind and body approaches to healing and has already provided support for programs serving communities in Coös and Grafton Counties. Renée also brought Granite Staters along on her journey, regularly sharing updates from the Atlantic and connecting with local students who followed her progress from their classrooms.

Senator Hassan launched the "Granite Stater of the Month" initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a "Granite Stater of the Month," constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan's statement for the Congressional Record, see below:

I am honored to recognize Renée Blacken of Bethlehem as August's Granite Stater of the Month for her extraordinary resilience, adventurous spirit, and commitment to expanding access to trauma recovery resources in northern New Hampshire.

Earlier this year, Renée became the first American and first solo female to complete the Atlantic Dash, rowing more than 3,200 miles alone across the Atlantic Ocean in a 6-meter wooden boat without a chase boat or resupply. After 65 days at sea, she arrived in Antigua, becoming the oldest American woman to complete a solo Atlantic row.

Renée undertook this extraordinary challenge not only to test her own limits, but also to support a cause deeply personal to her. After overcoming physical and mental health challenges with the help of trauma recovery resources, she founded the New Hampshire nonprofit Outdoor Adventuring for Good to expand access to trauma recovery programs throughout northern New Hampshire. Today, the organization is helping fund programs that support first responders, veterans, survivors of domestic abuse and sexual assault, and others on their healing journeys.

Throughout her voyage, Renée remained connected to Granite Staters by sharing updates with supporters and exchanging videos with students in classrooms across New Hampshire. She taught young people to embrace challenges, that extraordinary achievements are possible through courage, preparation, and perseverance, to believe in themselves, and to understand the importance of asking for help when facing difficult times.

Renée's historic achievement, courage, and dedication to ensuring others have access to the support they need are why I am proud to name her August's Granite Stater of the Month.

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