The Providence City Council is set to host its annual International Women’s Day Celebration on Tuesday, March 8th, 2022 at 6 PM in the Alderman’s Chamber on the third floor of Providence City Hall (25 Dorrance Street).
This year’s event will feature a performance by Providence poet Sussy Santana, and include a panel discussion on this year’s International Women’s Day United Nations theme “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” The Council is honored to host Monica Huertas of the Renew Rhode Island Commission, Vennicia Kingston and Darche Hood of the Women’s Council of Rhode Island Building and Construction Trades and ARISE Youth Leader Gabby Oulette as panelists.
In addition, local women-owned vendors will be at City Hall with a wide array of goods and services available for guests.
In addition to the performance and panel discussion, one woman will be awarded with the Anaija Strong: The She-Ro Within Award. This annual City Council International Women’s Day Award is named for fourteen-year-old Anaija Sanaa Griffin who passed away in November of 2020 after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Through her illness, Anaija amazed and inspired her parents, family, friends and teachers with her enduring commitment to her education and her unwavering spirit and humor.
This year, the Council will be honoring Theary Voeul with the Anaija Strong: The She-Ro Within Award. Voeul is a founding member of the Providence Youth Student Movement and is deeply involved in Providence’s South-East Asian community. She is a steadfast organizer of food and community events and helped families access needed resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Voeul works to advocate for families and individuals facing deportation and worked tirelessly to help immigrant families navigate the pandemic.
The City Council’s International Women’s Day Celebration is free and open to the public.
