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On Tuesday, March 8, Women’s March Syracuse held a celebration for International Women’s Day at University United Methodist Church.

To open the event, local religious figures, such as Pastor Alicia Wood, recited prayers from the Bible, Quran and Torah. She dedicated the prayers to International Women’s Day.

“Today we’re not only celebrating the Women’s March team, we’re celebrating the city of Syracuse and the people of Syracuse who are always supportive, always working together to bring justice, equality and opportunities to the world,” said Nada Odeh, a local artist and Women’s March Syracuse member.

The organization’s goal is to “strengthen the community work and to empower the people of central New York,” according to the Women’s March Syracuse’s Facebook.

Mayor Ben Walsh read a proclamation about the Women’s March and declared March 8 to be Women’s March Day in Syracuse. He said he chose this day for its historical significance.

U.S. female garment workers marched on March 8, 1908, to protest for the right to vote, better working conditions and to end child labor in what would become known as America’s first Women’s March, Walsh said.

“Women’s March is a women-led movement providing intersectional education on a diverse range of issues, creating entry points for new grassroots activists and organizers to engage their local communities through trainings, companies, programs and events,” Walsh said.

The event followed the announcement of the 2022 theme for International Women’s Day: “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.”

The members of Women’s March Syracuse received awards from U.S. Senator Charles Schumer and Governor Kathy Hochul for their work to further women’s rights in Syracuse. Recipients included Sarah Young, Joseph Driscoll, Fanny Villarreal, Andy Mager, Nada Odeh, Nodesia Hernandez and Jessica Bumpus-Hess, and the team as a whole was presented with an award.

Women’s March Syracuse also honored local supporters, including Syracuse University professor Mara Sapon-Shevin, who led those gathered in a song, with certificates.

Those honored included Amiah Crisler, Onondaga County Legislators Peggy Chase and Mary Kuhn and Linda Ervin, Black Lives Matter organizer Rahzie Seals, Pastor Alicia Wood, artist and activist Vanessa Johnson and organizer Christine Wood.

The event was closed out with a moment of silence to honor all the women who have and continue to fight for women’s rights, today and everyday.

Published on March 9, 2022 at 12:35 am

Contact Katie: ksmcclel@syr.edu | @katie_mcclellan