On Monday evening, the Westchester County Board of Legislators commemorated Women’s History Month by honoring all of the women who have served the Board, in a live-streamed video presentation and ceremony.
Chairwoman Catherine Borgia (D–Briarcliff Manor, Cortlandt, Croton, Ossining, Peekskill) kicked off the ceremony with the acknowledgement that Women’s History Month 2022 was an historic moment for the Board. She said, “In light of our Board electing women for the first time to the top two leadership
positions — myself as Chair and,Legislator Nancy Barr as Vice Chair — it is fitting to pay tribute to all the women who have served this Board.
Since this body first convened in 1970, women have been integral as Legislators, and in leadership positions of Chair, Vice Chair, Majority and Minority Leader, and as Clerk.” A video comprised of personal messages from former Legislators was shown, and included segments from NYS Senate Majority Leader
Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYS Assemblywoman Sandy Galef, the Hon. Diane A. Keane-Foster, the Hon. Alfreda A. Williams, the Hon. Pearl C. Quarles, the Hon. Kitley Covill and the Hon. Ruth Walter.
They relayed anecdotes about winning their place at the table by balancing the budget, working across the aisle for economic and social equity for women and minorities, and helping to create the County Human Rights Commission. A photo montage followed, chronicling the work of all the women Legislators
which culminated with the Board’s appointment of Tajian Nelson as the first Black woman Democratic Election Commissioner at the March 7, 2022 Board meeting.
Finally, Chair Borgia acknowledged and thanked the former women Legislators who were in the audience – the Hon. Alfreda A. Williams, the Hon. Pearl C. Quarles, the Hon. Kitley Covill and the Hon. Ruth Walter – asking them to stand with the women who currently serve: Vice Chair Barr (D-Harrison, Port Chester, Rye Brook), and Legislators Erika Pierce (D-Bedford, Lewisboro, Mt. Kisco, North Salem, Pound Ridge, Somers), Minority Leader Margaret A. Cunzio (C-Mt. Pleasant, North Castle, Pleasantville, Valhalla, Sleepy Hollow, Briarcliff Manor), Catherine F. Parker (D-Harrison, Larchmont, Mamaroneck,
New Rochelle, Rye), Jewel Williams Johnson (D- Elmsford, Greenburgh, Sleepy Hollow, Tarrytown), Terry Clements (D- New Rochelle, Pelham, Pelham Manor), and MaryJane Shimsky (D- Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Edgemont, Hartsdale, Hastings-on-Hudson, Irvington).
Borgia concluded the program by saying, “It was wonderful to see all of these pictures of the women who came before us, and to know of the battles they fought so that we could have the privilege of sitting here tonight … I think we all have an obligation, both men and women, to encourage young women to participate
in government because it is clear that when we have equal representation, really good things happen.”
(Submitted)
