Annually on March 8, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. This year’s theme, “Make It Happen,” the event brings together a group of impressive women to speak about how they Make it Happen in their careers and communities on Sunday, March 8, between 2:00-3:30 p.m. at South Roanoke County Library, 6303 Merriman Road, Roanoke.
The primary speaker will be Anne Sterling, president, Virginia League of Women Voters. Other participants include: Kathryn Sowers, president, GFWC Southeastern Region and executive assistant for the Vinton area Chamber of Commerce; Brenda Louise Hale, president Roanoke Branch NAACP (Sergeant First Class, US Army, retired) and retired Registered Nurse; LeeRay Costa, founder, Girls Rock Roanoke and Hollins University Professor of Women’s Studies; and Lucy Coronado, director, Girls Rock Roanoke and member of Another Road Attraction. A Girl Scout Troup will open the event with a flag ceremony.
This past General Assembly session people across the Commonwealth rallied around many women’s rights bills that died in the House of Delegates including the Equal Rights Amendment bill, Equal Pay for Equal Work bill and a bill to protect women from domestic gun violence.
International Women’s Day has been observed since the early 1900s. The new millennium has witnessed a significant change and attitudinal shift in both women’s and society’s thoughts about women’s equality and emancipation.With more women in the boardroom, greater equality in legislative rights, and an increased critical mass of women’s visibility as impressive role models in every aspect of life.
