The first International Women’s Day was organized by Councilwoman Mary-Kay Harris (Ward 11), and for the past three years, has brought together a diverse group of women, elected officials and youth groups such as A Sweet Creation Youth Organization, from across the City to celebrate and uplift women. This year, we will gather to celebrate the ‘she-roes.’

Councilwoman Nirva LaFortune said, “I am honored to carry on Councilwoman Harris’s vision in bringing women together for International Women’s Day. I’m also thrilled to be partnering with SISTAfire and other organizations to bring women in our community together to celebrate our Sheroes. The goal is to create an inclusive space where all women can reflect, share their experiences and stories of the women who inspired them. I am grateful for women like Councilwoman Harris, and the women in my life who have paved the way and inspired so many of us.”

“I’m honored to serve with my colleagues who understand how important International Women’s Day is,” stated City Council President Sabina Matos. “Councilwoman Harris has been and continues to be an inspiration to me, and our colleagues on the Council. Her dedication to working with the community and bringing groups together in honor of International Women’s Day is a wonderful example of the power of what women can do when we come together. I’m very excited to share in this celebration with my colleagues and would like to thank Councilwoman LaFortune for spearheading this year’s celebration. I am reminded, as women, we must take the time to acknowledge how our experiences have shaped us, and the role models who showed us how much we could achieve. I am proud to be the President of the

first majority-female City Council in Providence’s her-story, and honored to

serve side by side with a dynamic and diverse group of women and men to serve the City we love so much.”

“It is always an honor to celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month with the strong and inspiring women that make our community great,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “In this moment in history, we have more women voices at the table both locally and nationally than ever before and we have seen the profound impact of their leadership. I believe that by centering these voices and experiences, we can continue to empower more generations of women and build a stronger future together.”

The City’s International Women’s Day Celebration will take place on the Third Floor of City Hall in the Alderman’s Chambers, and will incorporate vendors, group discussions, visual art, and performances and will feature Keynote speakers, Ms. Henrietta White-Holder and Ms. Marlena Rodrigues.

We want to thank our partners: SISTAfire RI, A Sweet Creation Youth Organization, Tiffany Rhule, Cesi Rivera, Gee Gee’s Southern Cuisine, Ellie’s, Sin Bakery, Plant City, and FireWorks Catering for their generous support of this wonderfully affirming event.

International Women’s Day – IWD (March 8) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity.

No one government, NGO, charity, corporation, academic institution, women’s network, or media hub is solely responsible for International Women’s Day. Many organizations declare an annual IWD theme that supports their specific agenda or cause, and some of these are adopted more widely with relevance than others. International Women’s Day is a collective day of global celebration and a call for gender parity.

International Women’s Day is all about unity, celebration, reflection, advocacy, and action – whatever that looks like globally at a local level. But one thing is for sure, International Women’s Day has been occurring for well over a century – and continues to grow from strength to strength.

Learn about the values that guide IWD’s ethos.