Majority Leader for the Buffalo Common Council Leah Halton-Pope, Jennifer Rizzo-Choi, and Mayor Scanlon
Executive Director Jennifer Rizzo-Choi was one of eight women honored during a ceremony held at Buffalo City Hall today to celebrate Women’s History Month. Along with the accomplishments of the honorees, Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon recognized the contributions and achievements women have made throughout the City of Buffalo.
“Women have played such an important role in all areas of our history in Buffalo, and it’s my honor to give them the credit they deserve today and all year long,” Mayor Scanlon said. “I want to thank this year’s organizing committee for their commitment and dedication to this event, where we honored eight exceptional women who lead in our community every day – in business, education, healthcare, law enforcement, public service, youth service, and in so many other ways.”
Here is the complete list of honorees:
- Public Service Award: Jenny Rizzo-Choi, Executive Director, International Institute of Buffalo
- Business Award: Rashida Dowell, Senior Vice President, M&T Bank
- Education Award: Joanna Lonell Wingo, Dean of Culture, Persistence Preparatory Academy
- Faith Based Award: Major Annette Lock, Executive Director of Operations, The Salvation Army of Erie County
- Health Award: Dr. Emmekunla Nylander, MD, Obstetrician Gynecologist
- Law Enforcement Award: Lieutenant Jennifer Velez, Buffalo Police Department Community Policing Coordinator
- Youth Award: Olivia Brooks, Youth Entrepreneur/Founder of “Libby’s Lemonade Stand”
- Trail-Blazer Award: Hope Hoetzer-Cook, Longtime Community Activist
The theme of this year’s ceremony was “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.” Also participating in the ceremony was City Councilwomen Leah Halton-Pope and Zeneta B. Everhart, Office of Strategic Planning Executive Director Nadine Marrero, Mistress of Ceremonies Reverend Rachell Satchell-Robinson of the Lighthouse Center, Reverend Dr. Cathy Harrington, Interim Pastor of United Universalist Church, and City of Buffalo Historian Lindsey Lauren Visser.
Here is the complete list of the immigrant and refugee woman the International Insititute of Buffalo honored this year for Women’s History Month:
- Cristeta Comerford, the White House’s first female executive chef and its first executive chef of Asian descent.
- Marlene Dietrich, renowned entertainer and activist
- Azar Nafisi, critically acclaimed author and English Literature professor
- Indra Nooyi, Forbes list business executive and trailblazer
- Lea Salonga, Tony Award winning musical theater actress and Disney Legend