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Page last updated on March 7, 2019 at 2:15 pm

For more information, please contact

Sue Owens
Program Specialist
Community & Family Resources Department
City of Bloomington
owenss@bloomington.in.gov
812-349-3468
 

Tickets Available for Women’s History Month Luncheon Through March 13

Bloomington, Ind. - The City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women invites community members to participate in two events marking the local observance of Women's History Month. Woman of the Year Mary Goetze and the women volunteers of the Community Justice and Mediation Center (CJAM) chosen to receive the Toby Strout Lifetime Contribution Award will be honored at the Women's History Month luncheon being held Wednesday, March 20 at the Monroe Convention Center. Goetze is being honored for her her efforts to enrich the lives of the incarcerated in Monroe County and support their families. More information about the winners is available at https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2019/02/14/3950.

The theme of this year’s event is “Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence.” The event will feature a keynote address by Joyce Ajlouny, general secretary and executive head of the American Friends Service Committee, where she is responsible for the organization’s worldwide peace and social justice programs and advocacy. The luncheon will also serve as a showcase for local organizations for women and women-owned businesses.   

The Women’s History Month Lunch program begins at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. for viewing of the exhibits. The cost is $25.00 per seat or $275.00 for a reserved table for eight; tickets must be purchased in advance through the BCT Box Office located at 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue (open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Mon-Fri and 12-5p.m. Sat-Sun) or online at www.bctboxoffice.org. The deadline to purchase tickets for the luncheon is March 13 at 5:00 p.m. Scholarships are available for individuals who need assistance with the ticket cost.

In addition, the commission hosts a free women’s leadership development event Saturday, March 30 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Showers City Hall. With the theme “Women. Power. Progress.” the event will feature a keynote address by Keyandra Wigfall and a presentation of the Emerging Leader Award to local entrepreneur Bridgett DiVohl, who is being honored for the fair wages and benefits she provides her employees at Royale Hair Parlor and the opportunities she creates for LGBTQ+ individuals, among other distinctions. In her keynote, Wigfall, a graduate student at the School of Public Health at Indiana University and a B.L.O.O.M. Mentoring Program implementer, will spotlight recent local initiatives to improve the lives women and girls. Several recipients of the Leadership Scholarship Initiative will also share information about their leadership experiences at the event, which will begin with registration and a light breakfast at 10:00 a.m., and the program at 10:30 a.m.

“Congratulations to the visionary women who are being recognized as this year’s winners, and the many others who contribute to the greater good in our community every day,” said Mayor John Hamilton. “I am grateful to the Commission on the Status of Women for raising awareness about these outstanding individuals, and for creating events that inspire and educate us about local and worldwide efforts to increase equity and justice.”   

Co-sponsors of this event include the City of Bloomington Commission on the Status of Women and the City of Bloomington Community & Family Resources Department. For more information about the lunch or workshop, contact Sue Owens at 812-349-3468 or owenss@bloomington.in.gov.


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