New Bedford native Pamela Mateus has been busy doing good — with Red Sox legend Pedro Martinez of all people — and she isn't done giving back.

She ran the Boston Marathon earlier this month, a huge accomplishment in and of itself. However, in order to run, you have to accomplish one of two things: either qualify through running other marathons or join a nonprofit organization and run for a cause.

Pamela chose the Pedro Martinez Foundation, as she has experienced the benefits of receiving a scholarship to continue doing what she loves: ballet.

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She got to it and raised $10,000 for the foundation, which supports struggling children in Boston, Lawrence, New York City and the Dominican Republic.

Pamela Mateus
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The next thing she knew, she found herself not only running one of the world's most storied marathons but standing right next to a beloved former Sox pitcher as he signed autographs.

Talk about a whirlwind.

In normal life, Pamela teaches for New Bedford Ballet (full disclosure: we did a few Nutcracker performances and a few hundred classes together). She also visits local schools to teach hour-long classes and directs students toward scholarships offered by the New Bedford Ballet Foundation.

"New Bedford Ballet has given me so much more than these great calves," she said with a laugh. "It has helped me in every aspect of my life. It helped me differentiate the difference between feedback and criticism. It taught me that hard work can compete with natural talent any day."

While Pamela will continue to give back to the community that gave her so much she does have a lofty goal of running six major marathons: New York, Chicago, Berlin, London and Tokyo, all before she turns 40. She also wants to do another Boston Marathon.

Needless to say, Pamela has the heart and experience to make change in the world and we are all here for it.

She did leave me with a quote that I thought was very fitting,

"Life is not about perfection, it's about persistence when pursuing your path to what you desire. Keep going, stay positive, and stay grateful. The stubborn heart always wins."

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