Stony Brook University’s Center for Civic Justice (CCJ) recently held a panel discussion in recognition of Women's History Month. The event, which took place on March 26, was titled "Her Impact: Women Driving Change" and aimed to bring together women's voices to focus on the role of women in societal transformation.
The event was highlighted by a virtual keynote speech from Tina Tchen, who serves as the executive vice president and chief strategy and impact officer for the Obama Foundation. It also featured a panel of local leaders such as Lynda Perdoma-Ayala, chair of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission; Carolyn Peabody, director of the Community, Policy, and Political Social Action Specialization in the School of Social Welfare; and Rahsmia Zatar, executive director of S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth. These panelists discussed their experiences in the fields of advocacy, social justice, and public service, offering guidance to attendees on how individuals can effect change within their communities.
Ashley Liegi, assistant director of the CCJ, noted the event's growth over the years and commented, “This event continues to grow and improve each year." She explained that while previous years focused on women in elected positions, this year's discussion aimed to showcase the various ways women can instigate significant changes on both local and global scales.
The theme of resilience and leadership was prevalent throughout the discussion. Rachel Alexandre, a senior and undergraduate coordinator for the CCJ, played a role in organizing the event. She emphasized the value of such platforms, saying, “It’s so important to create platforms where students can hear from leaders who have faced both successes and setbacks in their careers." Alexandre added that learning from the experiences of leaders empowers future generations to overcome barriers and work towards a better future.
The event was conducted in coordination with the Office of Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE), emphasizing the need to amplify women’s voices for positive changes at various societal levels.