YWCA Of White Plains and Central Westchester to Host Human Rights Day Event

The tradition continues as the YWCA of White Plains and Central Westchester prepares to commemorate Human Rights Day with a panel discussion on the State of Women of Color. The event takes place on Thursday, December 10 from 8:30 – 10:30 a.m. at the YWCA, located at 515 North Street, White Plains. The event and parking is free but seating is limited.

Westchester County Executive Robert P. Astorino, is scheduled to deliver opening remarks and Judith Beville, Greenburgh Town Clerk and member of the Greenburgh Human Rights Committee will be the Mistress of Ceremony.

The event is a discussion on the accomplishments and challenges of women of color primarily in areas of education, economics, and health. By the year 2050, women of color will constitute 53 percent of all women in the United States, yet they continue to be marginalized, according to a YWCA USA 2015 report on racism. President Obama is quoted as saying “we often fail to acknowledge that these challenges [facing women of color] lie at the intersection of race and gender.” The ultimate focus of the event would be to develop meaningful ways to improve disparities in education, economic security, and healthcare for women of color.

Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President of Westchester Community College, will be the Keynote Speaker for the event. Dr. Miles is a national leader in the field of education, her three-decade career in academia has included various roles at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio where she was the provost and executive vice president of Access, Learning, and Success and president of the Eastern Campus. Previously, she served as a faculty member and administrator at LaGuardia Community College, Nassau Community College, and Columbia University.

Panelists include: Dr. Jin Li, Jin Li, MD, PhD, FAANEM, is an Associate Professor of Clinical Neurology, New York Medical College and is the chief of Neuromuscular Section, Westchester Medical Center. She is the program director of Neurology residency program and committee member of Accreditation Council of Graduate Medical Education, New York Medical College at Westchester Medical Center. Zenaida Mendez, is the Past Immediate President of the National Organization for Women (NOW-NYS), New York State (2012-2014). Ms. Mendez also served for several years as Director of Racial Diversity Programs at the NOW National Office in Washington DC. Ms. Mendez, has many years of experience working on issues affecting women, some of which include: reproductive health, equal pay for equal work, equal high quality education, affordable childcare, affordable housing, economic, racial and environmental justice.

To register go to: https//thestateofwomenofcolor.eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Julia Nesbitt, Director, YWCA Racial Justice Initiatives 914-949-6227 or send an email to jnesbitt@ywcawpcw.org.