FALL MEMBERSHIP COFFEE

Monday, September 18, 2023
9:30 am to 11:00 am
Outdoors under the dining tent on Spencer Place in Scarsdale Village
Guest Speaker: Mayor Justin Arest

All current and prospective members were welcomed for coffee and conversation to learn about the League of Women Voters of Scarsdale. Mayor Arest spoke about issues relevant to Scarsdale residents, including infrastructure work, safety concerns, housing, updates on the pool renovation, and the proposed pickleball courts, with time available for Q&A.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT SPEAKER EVENT

Event was free and open to the public (league membership not required); light breakfast food was available.

Colleen R. Brathwaite spoke on the mission and work of Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA), the leading advocacy group working to improve the lives of women in Westchester County. Brathwaite also discussed her journey as an activist and what we can do collectively to drive change.

*Colleen R. Brathwaite is currently chair of Westchester Women’s Agenda (WWA), the leading advocacy organization working to improve the lives of women in Westchester County by advancing racial, economic and social equity and justice. Under her initiative and leadership, WWA’s seminal research studies documented the economically disadvantaged and racially disparate status of many women in the County. The studies helped sharpen WWA’s strategic focus and push for legislative and policy proposals to address issues as diverse as domestic violence prevention, immigrant rights, healthcare, education and childcare funding, elder services and economic empowerment.

As a staunch advocate for racial equity and eliminating racial disparities, Brathwaite led a team that persuaded the County Government to institute racial equity policies and programs. She also advocates for legislative solutions from the New York State Government and has implemented community antiracist education programs within WWA and throughout the community. Brathwaite co-founded Westchester Racial Equity Collaborative, which seeks to bring together all community groups focused on antiracism work in the region.

In 2018, Brathwaite capped a 30-year career in public relations, marketing and corporate communications at global firms, including the Dannon Company, Cadbury Schweppes’ Mott’s Division, and IBM, where she led teams that produced award-winning campaigns, launched category-leading brands and enhanced the companies’ images. She transitioned from the corporate sector to the nonprofit world, burnishing the reputations of several nonprofit agencies and ran a PR and marketing consultancy until 2021.

Brathwaite’s recent work has been featured in print media and on local television, including News12 Westchester and Westchester Magazine. Her professional affiliations include serving as president of the national Public Relations Society of America’s Westchester/Fairfield Chapter, as a member of Iona University’s Communications Advisory Committee, and on the boards of directors of several nonprofits.

She is a graduate of the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism with a Master of Science degree and holds a B.A. in English and African-American Studies from Brandeis University.

WINTER COCKTAIL PARTY AND FUNDRAISER — We are very sorry for the short notice but this event has just been cancelled

Saturday, January 27, 2024
5 pm to 7 pm
Graciously hosted by Janice and Ira Starr
65 Church Lane
Scarsdale, NY 10583