Stony Brook University’s Center for Civic Justice (CCJ) hosted a Women’s History Month panel discussion on March 26, bringing together women’s voices to explore the theme Her Impact: Women Driving Change. The event featured a virtual keynote address from Tina Tchen, executive vice president and chief strategy and impact officer for the Obama Foundation, along with a panel of local leaders.
Panelists included Lynda Perdoma-Ayala, chair of the Suffolk County Human Rights Commission and former administrative department head in the Department of Pharmacological Sciences; Carolyn Peabody, director of the Community, Policy and Political Social Action Specialization in the School of Social Welfare; and Rahsmia Zatar, executive director of S.T.R.O.N.G. Youth. Together, they shared their experiences in advocacy, social justice, and public service, and offered insights to students on how individuals can drive change in their communities.
“This event continues to grow and improve each year,” said Ashley Liegi, assistant director of the CCJ. “In previous years, we’ve highlighted women in elected office, emphasizing the importance of representation in government. This year, we wanted to expand the conversation to the many ways women can create meaningful change in both local and global communities.”
The discussion emphasized the importance and significance of resilience and leadership. Rachel Alexandre, a senior and undergraduate coordinator for the CCJ, helped coordinate the event. “It’s so important to create platforms where students can hear from leaders who have faced both successes and setbacks in their careers,” she said. “When we learn from their experiences, we empower future generations to break barriers and build a better future.”
The event, held in collaboration with the Office of Diversity, Intercultural and Community Engagement (DICE), reinforced the importance of amplifying women’s voices and contributing to positive change at the local, national and international levels.
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