Editor’s Note: The following is an updated version of the story that appears in our latest print edition.

 

Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson held the annual “Herstory” celebration on Thursday, March 10, at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), an event which honored five women for achievements in their respective fields to mark Women’s History Month.

 

Gibson welcomed the guests saying, “March is Women’s ‘Herstory’ Month, and it is a time of the year when we celebrate our women and all of the great contributions that our sisters have made to history, to culture, society,” before adding that in the great borough of The Bronx, women are, nonetheless, celebrated every day.

 

Hosted by PIX 11 news reporter and anchor, Monica Morales, the event opened with a prayer by Minister Nitisha Moore. Next, Fordham University student, Elaina Poulos, performed the national anthem and Jamilah Rosemond, a member of the female empowerment organization, Girl Be Heard, performed the song, “Together, We Rise.”

 

Morales later invited Elizabeth Figueroa, associate vice president for community relations at NYBG, to the podium where she acknowledged Gibson as the first woman and first member of the Black community to become Bronx borough president. She also congratulated all the evening’s honorees.

 

During her remarks, Figueroa discussed how the Botanical Garden was highlighting different themes associated with female leadership over the course of Women’s History Month, and showcasing women who had been influential to NYBG and to American horticulture, landscape architecture, botany, education, and more.

 

As part of the ceremony, a video was shown of Gibson and Janet Peguero, Bronx deputy borough president, talking about influential female figures they admired. As reported, Peguero also made history this year when she became the first Dominican immigrant to be appointed as the borough’s deputy president.

 

Later, Gibson took the microphone to talk about influential women in her own life, specifically her mother and former New York State representative, and former Bronx Deputy Borough President, Aurelia Greene, who passed away last year, as reported. In reference to the evening’s purpose, Gibson said, “It’s about recognizing the past, celebrating the present and preparing for the future. I am humbled and honored to be a first, but for me, it’s not enough to just be a first. What are we doing to ensure that we are not the last?”

 

The borough president then jumped into recognizing the evening’s honorees: Marti Speranza Wong, T.S. Candii, Meisha Ross Porter Ph.D., Joann Diaz, and Yasmeen Muthana. Explaining the selection process, Gibson said, “We picked firsts. They’re first in their own right. Some of them have firsts in multiple categories, but we wanted to recognize the beautiful mosaic of The Bronx, the beautiful beacon of culture and diversity that we represent here in The Bronx.”

First up on stage to be honored with an award was Diaz, a New York Fire Department (FDNY) lieutenant. After thanking Gibson and her staff, she said, “I share this honor with the women who came before me and with those who have fought for us to be visible in places that we have not historically been represented,” she said. “I, too, have fought to exemplify this in my own life and strive to open doors for women who seek to follow their dreams,” she added.

 

Diaz started her career as a fire cadet in 2000, and later became an FDNY EMT. In 2003, she was promoted to firefighter, becoming one of just 26 women in the department and the only Latina firefighter. In 2020, she became liaison for the FDNY commissioner and in October 2021, she was promoted to lieutenant. Diaz concluded her remarks, saying she was grateful and proud to be a member of the FDNY.

 

Indeed, the face of the FDNY is changing in the top ranks also with Laura Kavanagh appointed as first deputy commissioner of the department by former Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro in 2018, becoming the first FDNY female first deputy commissioner to serve in the role, and having previously served as an assistant and deputy commissioner at the FDNY.

 

As first deputy, Kavanagh oversees the day-to-day administration of the agency’s 17,000 employees and $2 billion-dollar budget. The NY Post reported in February that Kavanagh is currently serving as the interim fire commissioner until such time as Mayor Eric Adams decides who will fill the position permanently.

Reflecting on the evening, Diaz said, “Moments like tonight confirm that things are changing for us and that we must continue that change.” She added, “I hope that my success within the department highlights the importance of preparation, commitment and most of all, service, all attributes that inspire and sustain positive changes for our communities and our future.”

 

The next honoree was Ross Porter, president, and CEO of The Bronx Community Foundation. As reported, Ross Porter previously served as the first Black, female schools chancellor of New York City Department of Education under former New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, and has also had a long career in the Bronx school system.

 

In honoring the former schools chancellor, Gibson said, “She is aware of the challenges that our city schools have faced in our communities, and she has truly dedicated her life to improving the learning environment for all of our students.”

Accepting her award, Ross Porter addressed all the women in attendance directly, saying, “Know your worth! Know your value!” She, too, acknowledged Gibson as well as her own mother in her acceptance speech. “When I was announced as chancellor, I said to all the young ladies, all the young girls out there, I’m saving a seat for you. Well, guess what? We’re about to create those seats,” she said. Previously, Ross Porter also served as the Bronx superintendent for Community School District 11, principal of Bronx School of Law, Government and Justice, and as an assistant principal and teacher.

 

Peguero took over podium duties from Gibson to introduce the next honoree, Candii, founder of Black Trans Nation, a national organization committed to uplifting the living experience of Black and brown, transgender people. “I am honored and humbled to be a nominee and to accept the ‘Women Herstory Award’ in Women’s History Month,” Candii said.

“I dedicate this award to the ‘Walking while Trans,’ to the decriminalization of sex work, to the TGNC (Transgender and gender nonconforming) community, friends, enemies, family, mentors, policy writers, Black and brown-led organizations, the LGBT community, individuals, and Black Trans Nation, our team, and everyone who believed in me,” Candii added.

 

Peguero also introduced Speranza Wong, executive director and co-founder of “Amplify Her,” a nonprofit with a mission, since 2018, of electing more women to political office.

 

Accepting her award, Speranza Wong used the occasion to congratulate all the evening’s honorees. “I’m extremely humbled,” she said. “This is…. To be recognized within this group of very accomplished women is such an honor.” The Amplify Her co-founder served previously as director of strategic initiatives at the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs, and was later elected as a Democratic State committee woman for the 74th assembly district.

 

She was later appointed to Manhattan’s Community Board 5, and was also the director of Women Entrepreneurship NYC, a citywide initiative within NYC Department of Small Business Services.

In introducing Speranza Wong, Peguero said, “What her bio won’t say is that during COVID, she realized and noticed that women that were running for office had different layers of challenges.”

 

In October 2018, former Brooklyn City Councilwoman, Laurie E. Cumbo, introduced a bill that sought to relieve some of the childcare cost burden from women who are primary care givers and want to run for office, in order to allow them more time to canvass for votes. The landmark legislation allows candidates in New York City to use campaign funds toward certain childcare expenses and was introduced by then majority leader, Laurie Cumbo, and Manhattan City Councilman Keith Powers.

 

Do we really want more women to run for office?! If so, we must break down the barriers that prevent them from doing so! This bill relieves the burden of childcare for all parents and primary caregivers. pic.twitter.com/1aE25ptZd7

— Laurie Cumbo (@CommishCumbo) May 24, 2018

 

Three years later, it’s clear the bill proved pivotal in changing the City’s political and gender landscape, with the current City Council now represented by a majority of women for the first time in history, as reported, while also being led by a female speaker in Adrienne Adams (C.D. 28).

 

In March, Mayor Eric Adams announced the appointment of Cumbo as commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA). In that role, she will direct cultural policy for the City, and oversee city funding for hundreds of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations across the five boroughs.

 

Speranza Wong went on to thank Gibson, Peguero, and her colleagues at Amplify Her, while also mentioning that her five-year-old daughter was in attendance at the event.

 

“The promise she shows is representative of the girls and young women who will lead in the future,” Speranza Wong said. “And just as we’ve all benefited from the women that came before us, who pushed boundaries and fought for opportunities, the work we do today paves the way and helps the next generation of women achieve their dreams.”

 

The final honoree of the evening was Muthana, a high school senior at the Women’s Academy of Excellence. Gibson said she felt it was also important to amplify the voices of young people at the event, and give them opportunities. According to Gibson, Muthana was accepted to 14 colleges and at least six of them offered scholarships.

 

“Despite the obstacles and the hurdles and everything that they put in our path, we want our young people to soar,” Gibson said. “We want them to be everything that we desire for them to be. I’m so excited about this young person, this high school senior, and we are praying for her.”

 

Gibson concluded the ceremony by presenting citations of merit to both NYBG and to Morales.

 

*Síle Moloney contributed to this story.