ERIE COUNTY, N.Y. (WKBW) — Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz joined Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women (“ECCSW”) Karen King and members of the Women’s Action Coalition today for an International Women's Day event.
At the event, which took place at the YWCA of Western New York, community partners discussed their work on workforce development programs and legislative initiatives designed to empower women and to improve their access to opportunity.
“International Women’s Day is both a celebration of the contributions made by women and their sacrifices as well,” said Poloncarz. “Women have been essential to our community’s development and have been ardent and unwavering advocates for social justice, including fair and equal labor practices and better working conditions for all. Today we are honoring them, supporting them and reaffirming our partnership in the struggle for gender equality.”
Also speaking at the event were President and Founder of Confident Girl Mentoring Tiffany Lewis, CEO of the Girl Scouts of WNY Alison Wilcox, Board Chair of the YWCA of WNY Maureen Hammett, Board Chair of the WNY Women’s Foundation Cindy Odom and Anna Geronimo, Secretary of the WNY Coalition of Labor Union Women.
Karen King said, “International Women’s day is a perfect opportunity to educate the public on women’s rights and social justice, especially justice between genders. We are celebrating women’s successes, honoring the women who’ve broken ground and led the way for us today, and calling attention to gender inequities that are still around us today. It’s truly an international event and we are proud to be a part of it today in Erie County.”
International Women's Day is celebrated each year on March 8th in over two dozen countries worldwide.
