BALI staff and alumna attend NYS Conference for Civically Engaged Women

BALI Executive Director Liz Abzug and BALI staff Ebony and Oriela, attended the first NYS Conference for Civically Engaged Women held on December 1-3, 2016 and hosted by the NY Women Political Caucus at the Riverside Church in Manhattan. Liz spoke about the importance of Intergenerational Leadership in politics and about her mother's amazing work,the great Bella Abzug who founded the National Women Political Caucucus, to bring women's issues to the forefront of the nation's political agenda. She also spoke about the importance of passing on Bella's work and her ideals to the future generations of women leaders.

Along with Liz, BALI alumnae from class of 2016, Yardena Gerwin and Giselle Rodriguez Benitez (pictured below), spoke about their experiences as part of the 2016 BALI Leadership Training Summer Program and the impact the program had on them as current and future leaders in their communities. They also both spoke about the importance of having young women leaders in all walks of life for young girls to be able to see them as an example to follow.

Other speakers in the conference included Manhattan Borough President Gail Brewer, Rebecca A. Seawright-NYS Assemblymember, Miko Branch-Founder/Ceo of Miss Jessie's, Loida Nicholas Lewis-Chair/Ceo of TLC Beatrice LLC, Jill Stein-Leader of the Green Party and 2016 Presidential Candidate and more.

Main topics of discussion included: 

• Bridging the Gender Gap - What battles can Women Win?
• Healthcare awareness, Paying attention to Women's Physical and Mental Health
• The "F" word (feminism) in the 21st century - What does it mean?
• Safety and Security - being your own best "defensive" Player in today's marketplace
• Leadership - Are Women better Leaders?
• Getting started in your own Business? Receive important tips from experts.

The Conference's goals included: 

1. To bring the message of civic engagement and responsibility to all women regardless of age, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity. 

2. To pay tribute to the 100th anniversary of New York State Women Suffrage Movement. 

 

 

BALi’s mission is to inspire youth, including youth from underrepresented groups, such as female-identifying, LGBTQI and gender-expansive individuals to become leaders of the future.