International Women's Forum

#ForumFriday is highlighting IWF Trinidad and Tobago for recognizing four women who have contributed to the development of Trinidad and Tobago via its Awards Gala and Dinner on September 17. Inspirational Legacy Award recipient is Rhonda Mary Maingot, co-founder of Living Water Community; Inspirational Champion of Women Award honoree is Deborah Christiana de Rosia, director of four non-profits that created opportunities for women, men and other young adults through education and vocational training; Inspirational Advocate Award recipient is Professor Judith Gobin, the first female life sciences professor at UWI; and Inspirational Emerging Leader Award honoree is Akosua Dardaine-Edwards, founder of NiNa Foundation that supports girls and young women transitioning from St Jude's School. https://buff.ly/3Xyl8BD

International Women's Forum of Washington DC (IWF-DC) and Women's Forum of New York member Nina McLemore's eponymous brand was referenced by The Washington Post Critic at Large Robin Givhan in her recent opinion piece: "When women's clothes say everything and nothing, it's powerful progress." McLemore's jackets with their narrow shoulders, full backs and stand-up collars are worn by Supreme Court Justice Elena Kagan, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA).

This week's #WomanLeaderWednesday celebrates Dr. Usha Raj, IWF Chicago, who was honored by her colleagues, friends, and family at the announcement of the establishment of the J. Usha Raj Professor of Pediatrics and Psychiatry at University of Illinois College of Medicine.

Congratulations Lulu Wang, Women's Forum of New York, for being listed in Forbes' 50 over 50 2024 Impact list as a "woman who is shattering gender norms and age stereotypes around the globe." https://buff.ly/2xgPOxw #ForbesOver50

Congratulations Sarah Shortreed, IWF Canada, on her appointment as Metrie 's Chief Information Officer

Congratulations Gina Adams, International Women's Forum of Washington DC (IWF-DC), for being promoted to FedEx 's Executive Vice President General Counsel and Secretary, effective September 24

Jessica Berman, Commissioner of the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and #IWF50 #IWFNYC24 speaker continues to lead change. The NWSL is the first major North American professional sports league to eliminate its draft. In a Fortune , story about this historic announcement, Berman said, "There’s been a default assumption that if you want to build a successful league, you have to build it like the leagues that have been around for 100 years. We know those leagues were built for men’s sports and at a different time in history. The thing we’re most proud of is being in a position to innovate and pressure-test the status quo.” https://buff.ly/3MvyPLg

Congratulations Nga Wai Hono i te Po on being the eighth Maori monarch and the second queen: https://buff.ly/3Xef3c3

IWF Italy is this week's #ForumFriday. Their members heard from the Honorable Letizia Moratti, the first female Mayor of Milan. Moratti discussed her experiences and the political challenges she faced as a Member of the European Parliament.

We are saddened that Sybil Morial, IWF Louisiana Founder and 2022 Woman Who Makes a Difference honoree, died yesterday. Descendent of slaves, America’s history is written in her life story. From the segregated south to the height of the Civil Rights Movement to today, she meant so much to so many. Ms. Morial was a teacher, educator, bridge-builder, role model, and activist. She dedicated her life to empowering individuals: African Americans, women and ordinary citizens through education and participation in organizations, government, arts, and religious institutions. When she was early in her career as a public-school teacher in the early 1960s, Sybil Haydel Morial was the sole plaintiff to challenge, and strike down a Louisiana law forbidding teachers from joining organization advocating integration. In the 1960s many civic organizations including the League of Women Voters were closed to African Americans so in 1963, she founded the Louisiana League of Good Government (LLOGG), a non-partisan, interracial women’s organization devoted to guaranteeing civil liberties and full participation in government for all Louisiana citizens. Ms. Morial was a lioness who fought for equal rights for all. She was not just a catalyst for change, but the embodiment of it. We thank her for her selfless dedication and honor her in our thoughts.