Brooklyn, NY – Yesterday, in celebration of Women’s History Month, New York City Council Member Farah Louis hosted the 5th Annual Shirley Chisholm Women of Distinction Celebration at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum. The event honored extraordinary women whose leadership and service are making an impact on communities across New York City.

“Women’s History Month is not just about honoring the past; it’s about recognizing the women making history today,” said Council Member Louis. “In the spirit of Shirley Chisholm, we must stand together – stronger, louder, and more determined than ever to secure the future that the women and girls of our city deserve.”

This year’s honorees were recognized for their impactful work in Black maternal health, social justice, education, and community advocacy. Among those honored were:

• Erica Ford – Founder of LIFE Camp, Inc., a leader in youth and community violence prevention.
• Angela DeFilippis – Founding Principal of the Brooklyn Science and Engineering Academy, a champion of STEAM education.
• Dr. Redetha Abrahams-Nichols – Healthcare leader and advocate for quality patient care in Central Brooklyn.
• Bazah Roohi – Founder of the American Council of Minority Women, dedicated to protecting and empowering minority and Muslim women.
• BK Zetas – A Panhellenic service organization leading initiatives in Black maternal health.

Special recognitions were also given to Artoneta Berisha and Marie Layne for their tireless efforts in social services and housing advocacy.

In her remarks, Council Member Louis highlighted the pressing challenges women face today, from the erosion of reproductive rights to the growing threat of gender-based violence. She reaffirmed her unwavering commitment, as Chair of the Committee on Women and Gender Equity, to protecting women’s hard-won progress and ensuring greater opportunities for women throughout the city.

“Right now, across the country, extremist politicians are fighting to strip away our rights and roll back the progress we’ve fought so hard to achieve,” said Council Member Louis. “But make no mistake – we are not going back. We’ve come too far, and we’ve fought too hard to let anyone undo our progress.”

The event was co-hosted by healthcare advocate Joanna Bosquet and featured keynote remarks from New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Commissioner Laurie Cumbo, along with inspiring performances by Anyrah Shavéh and Wallana Mack-Jones. It was made possible through the generous support of volunteers, sponsors, and community partners.

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