Poloncarz, King join celebration of International Women's Day

Event honors women’s historical roles in fighting for gender equality

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz joined Executive Director of the Erie County Commission on the Status of Women Karen King and members of the Women’s Action Coalition at the YWCA of Western New York on Grant Street in Buffalo to celebrate International Women’s Day, and the significant role women have played in advocating for social justice. Community partners at the event 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,” Poloncarz said. “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 offering remarks 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.

Celebrated each year on March 8, International Women’s Day is a focal point in the movement for women’s rights and is a holiday in more than two-dozen countries worldwide.

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.”

For more information on the ECCSW, visit http://www2.erie.gov/csw/.